![]() ![]() In addition, a tall, three-sided scoreboard tower was constructed in the infield, strategically placed such that it was visible from nearly all spectator areas around the track. Trueman added permanent grandstands, amphitheater-style seating, garages with spectator balconies, a five-story media and hospitality center, tunnels and an updated paddock area. In 1982 Mid-Ohio was purchased by Jim Trueman, a renowned road racer and the founder of Red Roof Inns. The track hosted Can-am and F5000 through the 1970s and in 1980, it would host its first CART race with Johnny Rutherford taking victory with Chaparral. The track originally had 16 turns, with a left turn in what is today known as "thunder valley," but the turn was straightened after just one year of operation due to complaints of the track being too slow. The track was opened in 1962 by Les Griebling and several Mansfield-area businessmen as a location for weekend sports car racing. History Emerson Fittipaldi navigates the Keyhole section of the course in a Penske Racing Ind圜ar in 1992 The course was a 10-turn, 0.7 mi (1.1 km) and utilized the keyhole section of the track. In 2019 the ARX came to the track which was the first time rallycross had come to the circuit. The improvements also included a motocross facility, that has since been used for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle days event. The additional layouts allow simultaneous use of the multiple courses, for instructional and competitive uses. ![]() A new motorcycle "short course" was created by connecting turn one with the backstretch and another motorcycle/ autocross oval was created by connecting the chicane straight with the backstretch. The entire circuit was repaved and the concrete patches in the turn apexes were removed. In 2006 another major refurbishment saw several improvements. Major series including CART/ Champ Car, Ind圜ar, IMSA, and NASCAR have mostly elected to bypass the chicane, while motorcycles and amateur/ club racing typically use the 2.4-mile layout (with the chicane). In addition, a straightaway segment was paved through the chicane, allowing for two different track layouts, the original 2.40 mi (3.86 km) circuit and a new 13-turn, 2.258 mi (3.634 km) circuit which bypasses the chicane. A new retaining wall was built, the entire track was resurfaced, widened and concrete was paved in the apexes of the turns to prevent asphalt deterioration. In 1990 the track underwent a refurbishment. The regular start/finish line is located on the pit straight. A separate starting line and flagstand is situated on the backstretch to allow for safer and more competitive rolling starts. The back portion of the track allows speeds approaching 200 mph (320 km/h). For 1963 and beyond, a 15-turn, 2.40 mi (3.86 km) layout was established. It was replaced by the "Thunder Valley" downhill straight, which remains to the present day. After only one year, the "Oak Tree Bend" series of turns (in the northeast corner) was removed due to being too slow. The track opened in 1962 as a 16-turn road course run clockwise. The track IMSA GTP cars compete at Mid-Ohio in 1991 Mid-Ohio is classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit. ![]() There is grandstand seating for 12,000 spectators and three observation mounds alongside the track raise the capacity to over 75,000. It hosts a number of racing series such as Ind圜ar, IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, along with other club events such has SCCA and National Auto Sport Association. Mid-Ohio has also colloquially become a term for the entire north-central region of the state, from south of Sandusky to the north of Columbus. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is a road course auto racing facility located in Troy Township, Morrow County, Ohio, United States, just outside the village of Lexington. O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio (2022–present) ![]()
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