It’s just about showtime. Here is a summary of the new features at this year’s PRI Show in Indianapolis—including the return of live racing action—plus details about popular Show activations.

It’s time to get ready for the fastest and loudest family reunion on the planet when the motorsports industry unites in downtown Indianapolis on December 7–9 for the 35th edition of the PRI Show. 

Featuring more than 1,000 exhibitors and some 3,000 booths spread across more than 750,000 square feet in the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, this unrivaled event unites professionals from every racing discipline in one city. 

The most influential business event in racing, the 2023 PRI Show will feature the newest parts and technology, access to countless manufacturers and service providers, and virtually unlimited opportunities to network face-to-face with industry leaders. If you’re in the business of racing, the 2023 PRI Show is a must-attend event. 

“The PRI Show actually feels like a reunion, because it is the one time each year that everyone in our industry meets up to conduct business,” said Karin Davidson, PRI Show Director. “It’s that little niche of time after the previous race season ends but before pre-season testing begins, when everyone goes to PRI to see what’s new and upcoming and find out what they need for the next season.” 

Among the Show’s aisles of innovative products, tools, machinery, and gear, buyers will also find 100 first-time exhibitors showcasing a bevy of never-before-seen offerings, from transmissions to motor oils, parts washers, stud kits, race seats, engine stands, and much more.

In addition to the many new exhibitors, there will also be several new exhibits at this year’s Show. Most notably, we are thrilled to announce the return of live racing action to the PRI Show, part of several new activations inside Lucas Oil Stadium set to include a showcase on the growing influence of alternative racing platforms, as well as a curated selection of race cars at the Goodyear/Mickey Thompson Experience. 

“Lucas Oil Stadium is not just an extension of the PRI Show, it is a ‘must-see’ area of the Show,” said Jim Liaw, General Manager of PRI. 

Back at the Indiana Convention Center, attendees can check out fascinating interviews at the PRI Podcast studio, a dedicated stage for motorsports influencers and media personalities to host live podcasts featuring various special guests. It’s an extension of our reimagined PRI Paddock, where members can go for all Show-related questions, giveaways, and more. For those not near the PRI Paddock—located in the Yellow Lobby, next to the hanging race car—the 2023 PRI Show App will serve as their virtual guide to the Show.

Most Popular Events

We are excited to bring revived energy to Indy with our new activations and exhibits, but longtime attendees can be rest assured we’re also bringing back our most popular events.

On Thursday morning, attendees can begin their Show at our Grand Opening Breakfast, offering complimentary breakfast paired with a live talk-show-style program featuring a special guest, to be announced soon. After a full day of discovering the latest motorsports innovations, attendees will have a chance to unwind and network over complimentary drinks and appetizers at our popular PRI Happy Hour, which will take place in Lucas Oil Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. 

Another can’t-miss activity is taking a stroll down Machinery Row, an invaluable opportunity for engine builders, welders, fabricators, race teams, and manufacturers to get an up-close look at the ground-breaking innovations that’ll help complete their jobs quicker and more efficiently. Additionally, those looking to upgrade their hauler rigs will want to visit the Trailer Exhibit at Lucas Oil Stadium, featuring dozens of the newest trailers, haulers, RVs, and toterhomes from top manufacturers. 

No attendee should miss the Featured Product Showcase (FPS), where both buyers and media will discover the latest and most innovative products from hundreds of top motorsports brands. To ensure these innovative products receive increased attention and foot traffic, the FPS has been relocated to the ICC Capitol Connector, which is strategically located near the Yellow Hall, Georgia Street entrance, Capital Cube hanging car, and the PRI Paddock for maximum visibility. 

In addition to networking and browsing motorsports’ latest products, services, machinery, and technology on the Show floor, attendees will have valuable opportunities to learn from racing’s most innovative minds. With more than 45 conferences, seminars, and social gatherings, there will be countless opportunities to engage with industry experts through a dynamic conference lineup that includes the PRI Education program, Race Track Business Conference, ICMS Annual Congress, and many more. 

Alternative Racing

We are dedicated to giving PRI members a complete 360-degree view of the motorsports landscape, which is why we are constantly searching for the next innovation, trend, or regulation that may affect your bottom line. Some changes will affect your company, while others may have a minimal impact, but in an industry where the gap between success and failure is measured in milliseconds, every detail matters. At the 2023 PRI Show, we are putting a spotlight on the emerging trend of alternative racing—particularly EV and sim racing. 

“The PRI Show continues to grow and evolve,” said Liaw. “Being the largest B2B motorsports show in North America, we have to do our part to showcase new trends and the diverse opportunities for racing-related businesses.”

Alternative racing has continued to grow in popularity over the past several years, with sim racing seeing big gains since 2020. To showcase the potential of alternative racing to our entire industry, we will activate space within Lucas Oil Stadium like never before, including the return of live racing action at PRI. 

Not since the Orlando-era of the PRI Show has racing’s most influential business event showcased live racing action. That changes in 2023 with the PRI EV Indy Karting Classic presented by Top Kart USA. With a kart track located on the floor of Lucas Oil Stadium and high-performance electric karts provided by Top Kart USA, this activation will provide entertaining racing action throughout all three days of the Show.

Most notably, Thursday’s kart action will feature professional drivers from various top racing series, with serious bragging rights on the line. Adding to the buzz, the pro main event is slated to be run during the PRI Happy Hour—which has been expanded to the Lucas Oil Stadium lobby, concourse, and field for 2023—so PRI Members can enjoy complimentary drinks and networking, all while cheering on their favorite driver.

Our new PRI eSports Arena will also be making its debut at the Show—a new activation area dedicated strictly to the world of sim racing. This activation will be located inside Lucas Oil Stadium, next to the EV and Alt. Racing area, and will showcase not only EV technology but other forms of racing power, including propane, renewable fuel, and hydrogen. 

As for sim racing, that’s all about computer power and driver skill. 

PRI is partnering with SRO Motorsports Group, which will hold one of its professional simulator races at the PRI Show. The race will be broadcast live for attendees to watch via giant LED screens, with up to 16 top-ranked sim drivers racing head-to-head on fully equipped simulator cockpits at the PRI Show. Additionally, there will be two additional simulator cockpits for Show attendees wanting to take a hot lap on the virtual track and discover what sim racing is all about. 

Finally, Goodyear will also have a large activation at Lucas Oil Stadium that is already creating some excitement. The Goodyear/Mickey Thompson Experience will curate a selection of race cars that will line the pathway leading into the stadium, culminating at a Goodyear booth that’s sure to generate buzz. 

With the motorsports industry continuing to build positive momentum, the 2023 PRI Show is tracking to be one of our largest shows yet. The motorsports tent is bigger and more diverse than ever before, including everything from computer-powered sim racing to 10,000-horsepower engines in tractor pulling. But no matter what powers you off the start line, the 2023 PRI Show is where you’ll find the parts, people, and knowledge needed to succeed, both on and off the track. 

“You’ve got to go to the PRI Show to figure out what’s the new technology and what are the latest secrets. The conversations you’re having in those aisles are ones you can’t have at the track, because everyone is focused on their own car. At PRI, you have three days to absorb all this information, take it home, get your parts, and build a car for next year to kick some ass,” concluded Davidson.