Indy Richmond 300

The Indy Richmond 300 (formally known as the SunTrust Indy Challenge) is an IndyCar Series race held at Richmond Raceway near Richmond, Virginia from 2001 to 2009,. From 2001–2007, the race was scheduled for 250 laps (187.5 miles); from 2008 to 2009, the race distance was extended to 300 laps.

Indy Richmond 300
IndyCar Series
VenueRichmond International Raceway
Corporate sponsorTBA
First race2001
Last race2009
Distance225 miles (362 km)
Laps300
Previous namesSunTrust Indy Challenge Presented by XM Satellite Radio (2006–2007)
SunTrust Indy Challenge (2001–2005, 2008–2009)
Most wins (driver)Sam Hornish Jr. (2)
Scott Dixon (2)
Most wins (team)Andretti Green Racing (3)
Most wins (manufacturer)Chassis: Dallara (8)
Engine: Honda (5)

The event debuted as a Saturday night race in 2001. The event became one of the more popular races on the schedule, and was arguably the most successful IndyCar race held in traditional "NASCAR Country". The race hearkened back to the classic short track "bull ring" style of racing known for during the AAA and USAC eras of Indy car racing.

ISC traditionally paired the race with other open-wheeled racing. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour once accompanied the race, but in later years USAC open-wheel short track racing had been on the undercard.

AAA held two National Championship sprint car races at the track when it was still a half-mile dirt track under the name Strawberry Hill Speedway. Later, NASCAR sanctioned two Championship Car events at nearby Martinsville Speedway in 1952 and 1953.

On July 30, 2009, RIR track President Doug Fritz announced that the SunTrust Indy Challenge would not be on the 2010 IndyCar Series schedule. The costs to put on the event and possible loss of sponsorship was cited as the reason for the IRL and RIR to not come to an agreement on the event.[1]

On August 28, 2019, it was announced that the IndyCar Series would be returning to Richmond in 2020, replacing the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway.[2] However, due to schedule changes brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic and "local restrictions", IndyCar announced on May 21 that the race had been canceled.[3]

Past winners
Season Date Driver Team Chassis Engine Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)		 Report
Laps Miles (km)
AAA Championship Car history
1946 October 12 Ted Horn Ted Horn Engineering Offy 20 10 (16.093) 0:07:27 80.537
November 10 Tommy Hinnershitz Ted Horn Engineering 25 12.5 (20.116)
1947
–
2000		 Not held
IndyCar Series history
2001 June 30 Buddy Lazier Hemelgarn Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 250 187.5 (301.752) 1:55:27 97.435 Report
2002 June 29 Sam Hornish Jr. Panther Racing Dallara Chevrolet 250 187.5 (301.752) 1:53:30 99.124 Report
2003 June 28 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing G-Force Toyota 206* 154.5 (248.643) 1:26:48 106.798 Report
2004 June 26 Dan Wheldon Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda 250 187.5 (301.752) 1:38:11 114.589 Report
2005 June 25 Hélio Castroneves Team Penske Dallara Toyota 250 187.5 (301.752) 1:38:33 114.153 Report
2006 June 24 Sam Hornish Jr. Team Penske Dallara Honda 250 187.5 (301.752) 1:26:49 129.572 Report
2007 June 30 Dario Franchitti Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda 250 187.5 (301.752) 1:24:20 133.408 Report
2008 June 28 Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda 300 225 (362.102) 2:04:06 108.79 Report
2009 June 27 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda 300 225 (362.102) 1:48:02 124.952 Report
2010
–
2020		 Not held
  • 2003: Race shortened due to rain.

Support race winners

References
  1. Cavin, Curt. "IndyCar 2020: Richmond Part OF 17-Race Schedule". indycar.com. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  2. DeHarde, Christopher. "IndyCar releases 2020 schedule; Richmond is in, Pocono out". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  3. "IndyCar cancels Richmond, Toronto; moves Road America". NBC Sports. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  4. Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
  5. Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
  6. Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
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