NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The iconic Parks Tower, a major part of the landscape of Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for decades, was razed recently as part of the facility’s ongoing improvements and upgrades initiative.

The four-story building, named in honor of NHRA founder Wally Parks, was completed ahead of the 1983 U.S. Nationals and has stood sentinel and witness to the history of the world’s biggest and richest drag race for nearly 40 years. The tower hosted VIP suites, race control, the media center, and other facility infrastructure.

In its place will raise a new tower for race control and media, and new skybox suites will be added along the track’s westside grandstands. A final timeline for completion of these projects, as well as renderings, will be released in the near future, along with a list of additional facility improvements as NHRA continues to work with the city of Brownsburg, Ind., within whose borders the facility is located.

The improvements to the fabled Indianapolis-area racetrack are part of the reinvestment program to NHRA-owned tracks, including Indy and Gainesville, with funds obtained through the sale of Atlanta Dragway in 2021.

“The new tower is part of our reinvestment back into our tracks,” said Kasey Coler, NHRA Vice President-rack Management & Operations. “That has been an important focus for us. The NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is a huge event. It’s the marquee race on our tour, and the exciting changes will represent that.”

Other recent upgrades to the venerable facility include the addition of grandstand-topping skybox suites in 2003 and a new Top Eliminator Club building in 2016.