2026 marks the Museum’s 70th, 50th, and one-year anniversaries
INDIANAPOLIS (April 2, 2026) – Today, April 2, marks one year since the reimagined Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum opened to the public.
Since that time, the Museum has:
- Welcomed over 230,000 visitors from all 50 states and more than 25 countries
- Educated nearly 20,000 students through field trips
- Received local, national, and international accolades, including TIME’s annual list of the World’s Greatest Places
In addition to the one-year anniversary since reopening, the Museum is also celebrating two milestones: 50 years since the Museum opened in its current building inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 70 years since the Museum was founded.
“Seventy years of storytelling reflects not just history, but the enduring spirit of innovation, competition, and community that defines the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Michael Good, IMS Museum president. “As we look ahead, we are committed to preserving these stories while elevating the Museum’s impact for future generations. The next chapter will be as bold and meaningful as the first.”
Museum History
The Museum opened in May 1956. Located at the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road in the first IMS administrative building, there was room for only about 12 cars on display.
The Museum’s origins can be traced back to 1945, when Tony Hulman purchased Indianapolis Motor Speedway after World War II. Hulman, the Museum’s first curator Karl Kizer, and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Wilbur Shaw discussed the idea of a racing museum, but the plan didn’t become a reality until Shaw’s sudden death in 1954, as a way to honor him. Shaw’s Boyle Special Maserati, in which he won the 1939 and 1940 Indianapolis 500s, was one of the first cars on display. It remains a guest-favorite to this day.
As the Museum’s collection of artifacts and historic vehicles grew, a larger space was needed. In April 1976, the Museum’s current building opened in the IMS infield between Turns 1 and 2. In April 2025, following a 17-month closure, the Museum reopened with its first significant renovation since 1976. It doubled in size to 80,000 square feet of exhibit space and now features 10 distinct galleries and more interactive exhibits.
Limited Edition Merchandise
In honor of these milestone anniversaries, the IMS Museum will be selling limited edition magnets and posters via their website. See the artwork here. More details will be announced soon on the Museum’s social media pages.
Day of Giving
As a public, non-profit organization separate from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IMS Museum relies on generous donors. To celebrate and preserve the Museum’s past, present, and future, a Day of Giving is being held today. For those interested in contributing to the Museum’s legacy, visit imsmuseum.org/day-of-giving.
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About the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum represents more than a century of motorsports history and is driven by its mission to celebrate and preserve the history behind the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. Since 1956 when the IMS Museum first opened, it has brought to life the innovation, thrill, and cultural significance of motor racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. What began with only 12 cars on display has become one of the world’s premier collections of racing automobiles and artifacts – with more than 55,000 artifacts and over 150 vehicles. The IMS Museum ignites curiosity, sparks discovery, and embraces tradition.