The tradition of kissing the bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) has become a symbolic gesture of victory and reverence for the track's rich history. While it appears to be an age-old custom, its origins are surprisingly recent, dating back to the mid-1990s. The act of kissing the bricks is now a highly anticipated part of any winner's celebration at the legendary speedway.
To understand the significance of this tradition, it's essential to know why IMS is nicknamed "The Brickyard". When the speedway was first constructed in 1909, it wasn't paved with asphalt or concrete. Instead, it featured a surface comprised of "a sticky amalgam of gravel, limestone, tar, and 220,000 gallons of asphaltum oil". This proved disastrous during the inaugural race in August 1909, as the surface quickly deteriorated, causing tire damage and accidents. One fatal incident resulted in multiple deaths, prompting track owner Carl Fisher to take immediate action.
Fisher decided to repave the track with 3.2 million bricks, each weighing 9.5 pounds. This massive undertaking took 63 days to complete and gave the speedway its enduring nickname. Over time, portions of the track were paved with asphalt, starting with the turns in 1936 and 1937. By 1938, the entire track was asphalt except for a strip along the middle of the front straightaway. In 1961, even that section was covered, save for a 36-inch strip of the original bricks at the start/finish line. This "Yard of Bricks" remains today, a tangible link to the speedway's storied past.
The tradition of kissing the bricks began in 1996 during the third running of NASCAR's Brickyard 400. After Dale Jarrett won the race, his crew chief, Todd Parrott, suggested they kneel and kiss the bricks at the start/finish line to honor the speedway's history. Jarrett agreed, and this spontaneous act marked the birth of a tradition.
Initially, it was just Jarrett and Parrott. The following year, Ricky Rudd and his team followed suit. Soon, it evolved into a major photo opportunity involving the driver, team members, owners, and family. While the tradition started in NASCAR, it was later embraced by IndyCar drivers. Gil de Ferran, after winning the 2003 Indianapolis 500, is often credited as the first IndyCar driver to kiss the bricks.
Today, kissing the bricks is a customary part of the winner's celebration for any race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is a gesture of respect for the track's legacy, a symbol of victory, and a unique way for drivers and teams to connect with the fans and the history of IMS.
