Grand Prix of Road America

XPEL Grand Prix at Road America
IndyCar Series
VenueRoad America
Corporate sponsorXPEL
First race1982
First ICS race2016
Distance222.64 miles (358.304 km)
Laps55
Previous namesRoad America 200 (1982)
Provimi Veal 200 (1983–1985)
Race for Life 200 (1986)
LivingWell/Provimi 200 (1987)
Briggs & Stratton 200 (1988)
Texaco/Havoline 200 (1989–1990)
The Chicago Tribune Presents the Texaco/Havoline 200 (1991–1999)
Motorola 220 (2000–2002)
Mario Andretti Grand Prix at Road America Presented by Briggs & Stratton (2003)
Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America (2004)
Grand Prix of Road America (2006)
Generac Grand Prix (2007)
Kohler Grand Prix (2016–2018)
REV Group Grand Prix at Road America (2019–2021)
Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America (2022–2023)
Most wins (driver)Mario Andretti
Emerson Fittipaldi
Michael Andretti
Álex Palou (3)
Most wins (team)Newman/Haas Racing (10)
Most wins (manufacturer)Chassis: Lola
Dallara (12)
Engine: Chevrolet (11)

The Grand Prix of Road America (known as the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America for sponsorship reasons) is an IndyCar Series race held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Christian Lundgaard is the defending winner of the event, having won it in 2026.

For twenty-five years, the event was part of CART/Champ Car World Series, with the first race being held in 1982. The event was put on hiatus in 2008 after the unification of Champ Car into the Indy Racing League. On August 8, 2015, it was announced that the race would return beginning in 2016. The race weekend typically includes all three series under the Road to Indy and the GT World Challenge America as support races.

Race history

The first major open wheel racing at Road America was a USAC/SCCA Formula 5000 (SCCA Continental Championship) held from 1974 to 1976.

The CART Indy Car Series first visited Road America in 1982. Road America was one of several road and street races that were added to the series during the 1980s. Immediately, the race became a popular event, owing much to the challenging, competitive, and picturesque nature of the course. Along with Milwaukee, the CART series for many years featured two stops annually in the state of Wisconsin.

Since its inception, Road America has been the longest track utilized on the Indy car circuit. At 4.048 miles (6.515 km), fuel mileage has been a deciding factor in many races. On more than one occasion, competitors have run out of fuel within sight of victory, occasionally leading to surprise winners. In some years, rain has been a factor, again adding a difficult challenge to even the most experienced drivers.

Throughout nearly its entire history as part of the CART/CCWS series calendar, the race was scheduled for either August or September, usually late in the season. The race was oftentimes a pivotal race in the championship hunt. The race began as a 50-lap/200-mile race, but was later lengthened. In 2007 only, the race was paired in a double-header weekend with the ALMS Road America 500.

The high speeds obtained on the course have seen several major crashes. A. J. Foyt went off in turn one in 1990, and nearly ended his career due to severe leg and ankle injuries. During a test session in 2006, Cristiano da Matta hit a deer, suffering a subdural hematoma. Katherine Legge suffered one of the most severe crashes during the 2006 race. the car lost a rear wing going into the Turn 11 Kink, and flipped into the catchfence.

Race revival

In February 2003, CART officials filed a lawsuit against the promoters of the race, stating they had failed to pay sanctioning fees due from the previous year's race, and failed to make payments due for the 2003 race. On March 11, series officials cancelled the race outright.

The reaction among media and fans was very negative, as many believed the series was dropping one of its marquee events. A few weeks later, the track issued a countersuit against CART, stating that the sanctioning body broke the contract by cancelling the race. Mario Andretti stepped in to mediate, and in April the two sides came together to reinstate the event. The race was renamed the "Mario Andretti Grand Prix" in his honor.

After coming back for two more seasons, Road America was left off the 2005 Champ Car schedule due to lack of sponsorship and declining attendance. Promoters, however, were able to bring the race back for 2006 and 2007. The track was to be part of the 2008 Champ Car schedule, but it became a casualty of the 2008 open wheel unification. The event went on hiatus for nearly a decade.

In 2016, after several years of speculation, the race was revived as part of the IndyCar Series. The event was considered a rousing success, and reestablished the circuit as a marquee race on the IndyCar schedule. The race at Milwaukee had been put on hiatus after 2015, and Road America effectively replaced that event on the schedule. In 2024, Milwaukee returned to schedule, and the series once again makes two stops annually in the state of Wisconsin.

First wins

Despite the demanding and challenging nature of the course, Road America has been the site of the first career win for several drivers in Indy car racing. In early years, Héctor Rebaque and "Uncle" Jacques Villeneuve both scored their first and only wins in the Indy cars. In 1986, Emerson Fittipaldi won his second-career CART series race at Road America, but it was notably his first such win on a road course.

In the 1990s, Paul Tracy won his first career pole position at Road America, and Jacques Villeneuve followed in the footsteps of his uncle in winning his first Indy car race here as well.

Dario Franchitti, Christian Fittipaldi, Bruno Junqueira, and Alex Tagliani also all scored their first-career CART/Champ Car series wins at Road America. In 2020, Felix Rosenqvist won his first career IndyCar Series race, while Pato O'Ward (who finished second, and had led the most laps) scored his first pole position and first podium finish.

Unser Jinx

The father and son duo of Al Unser Sr. and Al Unser Jr., both champions in the CART series and multiple time Indianapolis 500 winners, notably failed to ever win a race at Road America. On numerous occasions, Unser Sr. or Unser Jr. were well on their way to victory, only for their race to come to a sudden end. This is in stark contrast to the rival Andretti family, which scored six victories at Road America but only one win (1969) at Indianapolis.

Al Sr. ran out of fuel on the final lap while leading in 1982. Al Jr. was leading handily in 1985 until he lost control in a sudden rain shower, crashed and broke his ankle. Unser Jr. crashed again in 1986, and ran out of fuel in 1988. In 1991, Michael Andretti narrowly beat out Unser Jr. in the final two laps. In 1996, Unser Jr. blew his engine on the final lap, two corners short of victory.

Al Unser Jr. also started on the pole in a Can-Am race at Road America, but broke the transmission on the second lap.

Race results

Season Date Driver Team Chassis Engine Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)
Report
Laps Miles (km)
USAC/SCCA Formula 5000
1974 July 28 United States Mario Andretti Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Lola Chevrolet 25 100 (160.93) 0:53:02 124.741 Report
1975 July 27 United States Mario Andretti Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Lola Chevrolet 25 100 (160.93) 0:54:22 110.355 Report
1976 July 25 United Kingdom Jackie Oliver Phoenix Racing Shadow Dodge 25 100 (160.93) 0:58:29 102.590 Report
Aug 28 United Kingdom Brian Redman Haas/Hall Racing Lola Chevrolet 20 80 (128.75) 0:42:59 111.640 Report
Aug 29 Australia Vern Schuppan Jorgensen Steel Lola Chevrolet 25 100 (160.93) 0:54:38 109.816 Report
1977
–
1981
Not held
CART/Champ Car
1982 Sep 19 Mexico Héctor Rebaque Forsythe Racing March Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 1:49:56 109.156 Report
1983 July 31 United States Mario Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Lola Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 2:00:42 99.41 Report
1984 Aug 5 United States Mario Andretti (2) Newman/Haas Racing (2) Lola Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 1:43:08 116.347 Report
1985 Aug 4 Canada Jacques Villeneuve (Sr.) Canadian Tire Racing March Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 1:45:12 114.066 Report
1986 Sep 21/

Oct 4*

Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi Patrick Racing March Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 2:26:42 81.8 Report
1987 Aug 30 United States Mario Andretti (3) Newman/Haas Racing (3) Lola Chevrolet 50 200 (321.868) 1:39:52 120.155 Report
1988 Sep 11 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi (2) Patrick Racing (2) Lola Chevrolet 50 200 (321.868) 1:38:11 122.215 Report
1989 Sep 10 United States Danny Sullivan Penske Racing Penske Chevrolet 50 200 (321.868) 1:37:43 123.05 Report
1990 Sep 23 United States Michael Andretti Newman/Haas Racing (4) Lola Chevrolet 50 200 (321.868) 1:53:00 106.192 Report
1991 Sep 22 United States Michael Andretti (2) Newman/Haas Racing (5) Lola Chevrolet 50 200 (321.868) 1:35:05 126.205 Report
1992 Aug 23 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi (3) Penske Racing (2) Penske Chevrolet-Ilmor 50 200 (321.868) 1:48:26 110.656 Report
1993 Aug 22 Canada Paul Tracy Penske Racing (3) Penske Chevrolet-Ilmor 50 200 (321.868) 1:41:20 118.408 Report
1994 Sep 11 Canada Jacques Villeneuve Forsythe/Green Racing (2) Reynard Ford-Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 1:42:37 116.922 Report
1995 July 9 Canada Jacques Villeneuve (2) Team Green Reynard Ford-Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 1:55:29 103.901 Report
1996 Aug 18 United States Michael Andretti (3) Newman/Haas Racing (6) Lola Ford-Cosworth 50 200 (321.868) 1:56:33 102.947 Report
1997 Aug 17 Italy Alex Zanardi Chip Ganassi Racing Reynard Honda 50 202.4 (325.731) 1:57:54 102.995 Report
1998 Aug 16 United Kingdom Dario Franchitti Team KOOL Green (2) Reynard Honda 50 202.4 (325.731) 1:35:30 127.145 Report
1999 July 11 Brazil Christian Fittipaldi Newman/Haas Racing (7) Swift Ford-Cosworth 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:37:00 137.697 Report
2000 Aug 20 Canada Paul Tracy (2) Team Green (3) Reynard Honda 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:37:53 136.457 Report
2001 Aug 19 Brazil Bruno Junqueira Chip Ganassi Racing (2) Lola Toyota 45* 182.16 (293.158) 2:00:28 90.721 Report
2002 Aug 18 Brazil Cristiano da Matta Newman/Haas Racing (8) Lola Toyota 60 242.88 (390.877) 1:56:43 124.856 Report
2003 Aug 3 Brazil Bruno Junqueira (2) Newman/Haas Racing (9) Lola Ford-Cosworth 34* 137.632 (221.497) 1:35:28 86.493 Report
2004 Aug 8 Canada Alex Tagliani Rocketsports Lola Ford-Cosworth 48* 194.304 (312.701) 1:45:07 110.903 Report
2005 Not held
2006 Sep 23 United States A. J. Allmendinger Forsythe Racing (3) Lola Ford-Cosworth 51 206.448 (332.245) 1:54:43 107.967 Report
2007 Aug 12 France Sébastien Bourdais Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (10) Panoz Cosworth 53 214.544 (345.275) 1:40:58 127.481 Report
2008
–
2015
Not held
IndyCar Series
2016 Jun 26 Australia Will Power Team Penske (4) Dallara Chevrolet 50 202.4 (325.731) 1:39:10 121.426 Report
2017 Jun 25 New Zealand Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing (3) Dallara Honda 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:47:19 123.431 Report
2018 Jun 24 United States Josef Newgarden Team Penske (5) Dallara Chevrolet 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:40:16 132.101 Report
2019 Jun 23 United States Alexander Rossi Andretti Autosport Dallara Honda 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:39:40 132.894 Report
2020 July 11 New Zealand Scott Dixon (2) Chip Ganassi Racing (4) Dallara Honda 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:54:09 116.027 Report
July 12 Sweden Felix Rosenqvist Chip Ganassi Racing (5) Dallara Honda 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:51:22 118.942 Report
2021 Jun 20 Spain Álex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing (6) Dallara Honda 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:50:55 119.424 Report
2022 Jun 12 United States Josef Newgarden (2) Team Penske (6) Dallara Chevrolet 55 222.64 (358.304) 1:53:02 117.174 Report
2023 Jun 18 Spain Álex Palou (2) Chip Ganassi Racing (7) Dallara Honda 55 220.55 (354.94) 1:50:04 120.335 Report
2024 Jun 9 Australia Will Power (2) Team Penske (7) Dallara Chevrolet 55 220.55 (354.94) 1:45:00 126.154 Report
2025 Jun 22 Spain Álex Palou (3) Chip Ganassi Racing (8) Dallara Honda 55 220.55 (354.94) 1:53:30 116.696 Report
2026 Jun 21 Denmark Christian Lundgaard Arrow McLaren Dallara Chevrolet 55 220.55 (354.94) 1:51:06 119.220 Report

Support race winners

Race summaries

CART PPG Indy Car World Series

CART FedEx Championship series

Champ Car World Series

IndyCar Series

In-race action from 2025
The podium from the 2025 event

Footnotes

Works cited

References

  1. ↑ "IndyCar racing returns to Road America in '16". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ "CART sues Road America". The Indianapolis Star. February 13, 2003. p. 34. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. 1 2 Cavin, Curt (March 11, 2003). "CART drops Road America". The Indianapolis Star. p. 29. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ↑ "CART hit with countersuit". The Indianapolis Star. April 9, 2003. p. 32. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ↑ "Andretti mediating". Poughkeepsie Journal. April 12, 2003. p. 3C. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  6. ↑ "Road America race back on 2003 CART schedule". The Indianapolis Star. April 24, 2003. p. 32. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. ↑ "Road America's place on Champ Car schedule at risk". The Cincinnati Enquirer. August 7, 2004. p. 28. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  8. ↑ "Road America added, Las Vegas gone in 2006". motorsport.com. November 29, 2005. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  9. ↑ "IndyCar racing returns to Road America in '16". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ "SCCA Can-Am race - Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI (July 25, 1982)". Ultimate Racing History. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  11. ↑ Collins, Bob (September 20, 1982). "Rebaque inherits Elkart Lake win". The Indianapolis Star. p. 25. Retrieved April 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  12. ↑ Overpeck, Dave (August 1, 1983). "Andretti 1st at Elkhart Lake". The Indianapolis Star. p. 23. Retrieved April 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  13. ↑ Overpeck, Dave (August 6, 1984). "Andretti wins another one". The Indianapolis Star. p. 17. Retrieved April 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  14. ↑ Walters, Bob (August 6, 1985). "Villeneuve is CART winner (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 19. Retrieved April 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  15. ↑ Walters, Bob (August 6, 1985). "Villeneuve is CART winner (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 22. Retrieved April 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  16. ↑ Walters, Bob (September 22, 1986). "Rain postpones Race for Life 200". The Indianapolis Star. p. 17. Retrieved April 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  17. ↑ Walters, Bob (October 5, 1986). "Fittipaldi 'rains' at Elkart Lake (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 82. Retrieved April 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  18. ↑ Walters, Bob (October 5, 1986). "Fittipaldi 'rains' at Elkart Lake (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 91. Retrieved April 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  19. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (August 31, 1987). "Mario coasts to easy win at Elkhart Lake". The Indianapolis Star. p. 13. Retrieved April 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  20. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (September 12, 1988). "Fittipaldi has fuel to win at Elkhart". The Indianapolis Star. p. 19. Retrieved April 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  21. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (September 11, 1989). "Michael runs dry, Danny drives by". The Indianapolis Star. p. 14. Retrieved April 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  22. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (September 24, 1990). "Michael's win tightens race for CART title (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 33. Retrieved April 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  23. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (September 24, 1990). "Michael's win tightens race for CART title (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 34. Retrieved April 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  24. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (September 23, 1991). "Michael fights off rain, Al Jr. for win (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 32. Retrieved April 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  25. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (September 23, 1991). "Michael fights off rain, Al Jr. for win (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 34. Retrieved April 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  26. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (August 23, 1992). "Tracy crashes but still qualifies for first pole (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 63. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  27. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (August 23, 1992). "Tracy crashes but still qualifies for first pole (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 70. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  28. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (August 24, 1992). "Emmo's close victory tightens season race (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 29. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  29. ↑ Shaffer, Rick (August 24, 1992). "Emmo's close victory tightens season race (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 33. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  30. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 23, 1993). "Woozy Tracy puts hurt on field in winning Elkhart Lake". The Indianapolis Star. p. 28. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  31. ↑ Harris, Mike (September 12, 1994). "Villeneuve, Unser share racing laurels". The Indianapolis Star. p. 34. Retrieved April 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  32. ↑ Cavin, Curt (July 10, 1995). "Villenueve takes command at Elkhart Lake (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 23. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  33. ↑ Cavin, Curt (July 10, 1995). "Villenueve takes command at Elkhart Lake (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 23. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  34. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 19, 1996). "Raceway robbery times two (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 27. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  35. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 19, 1996). "Raceway robbery times two (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 29. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  36. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 19, 1995). "Cars, emotions flip out of control (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 27. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  37. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 19, 1996). "Cars, emotions flip out of control (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 29. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  38. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 18, 1997). "Zanardi nearly clinches CART championship". The Indianapolis Star. p. 18. Retrieved April 19, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  39. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 17, 1998). "Great Scot! Franchitti finds victory lane". The Indianapolis Star. p. 14. Retrieved April 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  40. ↑ Miller, Robin (July 12, 1999). "Victory falls into place for Fittipaldi (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 17. Retrieved April 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  41. ↑ Miller, Robin (July 12, 1999). "Victory falls into place for Fittipaldi (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 18. Retrieved April 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  42. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 21, 2000). "Tracy charges to victory after slow, sputtering start". The Indianapolis Star. p. 26. Retrieved April 21, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  43. ↑ Miller, Robin (August 20, 2001). "Junqueira slips past Andretti to give Ganassi 1st win of '01". The Indianapolis Star. p. 30. Retrieved April 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  44. ↑ "Da Matta puts end to slump with win". The Indianapolis Star. August 19, 2002. p. 29. Retrieved April 27, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  45. ↑ Trujillo, Melissa (August 4, 2003). "Rain can't spoil Junqueira's day (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 23. Retrieved April 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  46. ↑ Trujillo, Melissa (August 4, 2003). "Rain can't spoil Junqueira's day (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 25. Retrieved April 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  47. ↑ Stapleton, Arnie (August 9, 2004). "Tagliani finally finds victory lane (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 23. Retrieved April 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  48. ↑ Stapleton, Arnie (August 9, 2004). "Tagliani finally finds victory lane (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 29. Retrieved April 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  49. ↑ Jenkins, Chris (September 25, 2006). "Allmendinger takes flag at Road America". The Pantagraph. p. 33. Retrieved April 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  50. ↑ "Bourdais conquers Road America at last". The Indianapolis Star. August 13, 2007. p. D8. Retrieved April 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  51. ↑ Malsher, David (June 26, 2016). "Power holds off charging Kanaan to win in Road America". Motorsport.com. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin: Motorsport Network, LLC. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  52. ↑ Robinson, Mark (June 25, 2017). "Dixon captures prized win at Road America, adds to career lore". IndyCar.com. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin: Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
Preceded by
Bommarito Automotive Group 500
IndyCar Series
Grand Prix of Road America
Succeeded by
Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio

43°47′51″N 87°59′38″W / 43.79750°N 87.99389°W / 43.79750; -87.99389