The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum has broken ground on its new Restoration and Event Center.

The original plans for the new facility were announced in July 2023, when the IMS Museum shared its vision for the main Museum building renovation. The museum recently celebrated one year in the renovated space. This additional location, located just outside IMS in Speedway, Indiana, will allow a dedicated space for the full-time restoration department to continue preserving and caring for the vehicle collection. It will also have an event space, offering another option for meeting and event planners in the Indianapolis area.  

"This is a transformational investment in the future of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum," said Michael Good, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. "The new Restoration and Event Center will be a world-class facility focused on preservation, restoration, education, and public engagement. This project strengthens the Museum's long-term sustainability while expanding its impact locally and globally."    

The new 87,000-sq.-ft. restoration and event center will include multiple restoration bays, detailing bays and dedicated vehicle storage space. Cars not displayed in the museum will be housed in the new facility, where the museum plans to have rotating exhibits and offer public tours.  

"With the growth of our restoration program, we need to increase our workspace and storage facility to allow for the constant preservation of vehicles," said Jason Vansickle, vice president of curation and education. "Our restoration team is unmatched in skill, and this new state-of-the-art facility will be one of the best museum restoration facilities in the country."   

The new facility will extend the IMS Museum's education program. Hands-on learning classes will be offered for students interested in pursuing automotive engineering and restoration careers. Additional full and part-time staffing will be added, increasing job opportunities within the organization.  

Work is underway with an anticipated completion date in May 2027.  

For more information on the IMS Museum, visit imsmuseum.org.