Ironman History
During a trip to the Blackwater 100 GNCC event in the early 1990s, the Shaver Family came in contact with race promoter, Dave Coombs. After some discussion with Big Dave, they felt their family farm may be suitable for a GNCC event. Dave would send his Son-in-Law, Jeff Russell, to Crawfordsville, Indiana to see the farm firsthand. After a brief tour, the decision was made to add the event to the GNCC schedule beginning in 1995. The event was named the "Ironman" in honor of two-time GNCC champion, Bob Sloan, who hailed from Indiana and passed away in 1994.
Over the years the Ironman GNCC would grow with large numbers of spectators and racers converging on the facility. In 2012, the decision was made to break ground on a new motocross facility that would begin hosting Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship events beginning in 2014. Since then, the events have grown in size including the 2021 Ironman GNCC which saw a record 2,710 racers take part in the event.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a governing body which sets rules in drag racing and hosts events all over the United States and Canada. With over 40,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA claims to be the largest motorsports sanctioning body in the world.
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is an auto racing facility in Brownsburg, Indiana, about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Indianapolis. It includes a 0.686 mi (1.104 km) oval track, a 2.500 mi (4.023 km) road course, and a 4,400-foot (1,300 m) drag strip which is among the premier drag racing venues in the world. The complex receives about 500,000 visitors annually.
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Lucas Oil Products, Inc. is an American manufacturer and distributor of automotive oil, additives, and lubricants. It was founded by trucker Forrest Lucas and his wife Charlotte in 1989. The company is a medium size manufacturer of lubricants, including engine oils, greases, gear lubes, as well as problem-solving additives and car-care products. It produces and markets approximately 270 formulations in 40 countries. In the U.S., Lucas Oil is sold in more than 30,000 auto parts stores, displaying the most variety of shelf products of any oil company, and at truck stops nationwide. Lucas Oil has its plants in the United States. The original plant in Corona, California, which also housed Lucas Oil Corporate Headquarters and several affiliated companies, was closed in late 2022, moving the corporate HQ to Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Gavin Trippe was a motorcycle racing promoter, journalist, and publisher who was inducted to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2005. He died following an automobile accident in California.
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The state of Indiana is home to two major professional sport franchises, and a number of college sports teams. Indiana is also prominent in auto racing.
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Jett Lawrence is an Australian Motocross racer. Competing in the AMA Supercross & Motocross Championships; a one-time 450cc AMA Motocross Champion, a two-time 250cc AMA Motocross & 250cc AMA Supercross Champion.
