Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis has launched a major capital improvement project designed to improve the race-day experience for fans and provide an enhanced competition environment for race teams.

This is the third phase of a plan implemented in 2012 to completely update and upgrade the venue. The primary focus of this phase is to replace the track’s 20-year-old asphalt and dramatically improve Gateway’s parking capacity.

With a busy schedule of more than 300 event days per year, the optimal timing and conditions for paving placed the project in late June.

“The asphalt blends, the polymers used and the application process was crafted specifically for Gateway and the types of racing that will take place on the track. All of the stakeholders in the sport, from tire companies to team owners, were included in the decision-making process. Both sanctioning bodies (NASCAR and IndyCar) fully supported the resurfacing project,” said Chris Blair, GMP’s executive vice president and general manager.

The project began immediately following the completion of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivin’ for Linemen 200 on June 17. The track will undergo a race conditioning process used at other venues in mid-July. This process will condition the track to be race-ready. The new surface will be used for an IndyCar test in early August and an Indy Lights test on Aug. 10.

In addition to the new pavement, Gateway also upgraded catch fences, paved a substantial part of the inside track and added additional SAFER Barrier. All of the on-track improvements are part of a continued process of positioning the venue for additional major events for 2018 and beyond.

Gateway also has reached a long-term agreement with the ownership group that owns the adjacent property. This additional property, slated for development of parking and a year-round campground, will triple Gateway’s parking capacity. Two lots, known as the “North 40s,” will be utilized at the IndyCar event as well as the upcoming AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.