The Indy Richmond 300 (formally known as the SunTrust Indy Challenge) was an IndyCar Series race held at Richmond Raceway near Richmond, Virginia from 2001 to 2009. From 2001 to 2007, the race was scheduled for 250 laps (187.5 miles); from 2008 to 2009, the race distance was extended to 300 laps (225 miles).
The event debuted as a Saturday night race in 2001. The event became one of the more popular races on the schedule, and was arguably the most successful IndyCar race held in traditional "NASCAR Country". The race hearkened back to the classic short track "bull ring" style of racing known for during the AAA and USAC eras of Indy car racing.
ISC traditionally paired the race with other open-wheeled racing. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour once accompanied the race, but in later years USAC open-wheel short track racing had been on the undercard.
AAA held two National Championship sprint car races at the track when it was still a half-mile dirt track under the name Strawberry Hill Speedway. Later, NASCAR sanctioned two Championship Car events at nearby Martinsville Speedway in 1952 and 1953.
On July 30, 2009, RIR track President Doug Fritz announced that the SunTrust Indy Challenge would not be on the 2010 IndyCar Series schedule. The cost to put on the event and possible loss of sponsorship was cited as the reason for the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the Raceway to not be able to come to an agreement on the event.
On August 28, 2019, it was announced that the IndyCar Series would be returning to Richmond in 2020, replacing the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. However, due to schedule changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and "local restrictions", IndyCar announced on May 21 that the race had been canceled.
Past winners SeasonDateDriverTeamChassisEngineRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed(mph)Report Laps Miles (km)AAA Championship Car history 1946October 12 Ted Horn Ted Horn Engineering Offy2010 (16.093)0:07:2780.537 November 10 Tommy Hinnershitz Ted Horn Engineering 2512.5 (20.116) 1947–2000 Not heldIndyCar Series history 2001 June 30 Buddy Lazier Hemelgarn Racing Dallara Oldsmobile250187.5 (301.752)1:55:2797.435 Report 2002 June 29 Sam Hornish Jr. Panther Racing Dallara Chevrolet250187.5 (301.752)1:53:3099.124 Report 2003 June 28 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing G-Force Toyota206*154.5 (248.643)1:26:48106.798 Report 2004 June 26 Dan Wheldon Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda250187.5 (301.752)1:38:11114.589 Report 2005 June 25 Hélio Castroneves Team Penske Dallara Toyota250187.5 (301.752)1:38:33114.153 Report 2006 June 24 Sam Hornish Jr. Team Penske Dallara Honda250187.5 (301.752)1:26:49129.572 Report 2007 June 30 Dario Franchitti Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda250187.5 (301.752)1:24:20133.408 Report 2008 June 28 Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda300225 (362.102)2:04:06108.79 Report 2009 June 27 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda300225 (362.102)1:48:02124.952 Report2010–2019 Not held 2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2003: Race shortened due to rain.
Support race winners
NASCAR Whelen Modified TourSeasonDateDriverRace Distance Laps Miles (km)2001June 29Tony Hirschman1562002June 28Todd Szegedy150Source:Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
USAC Silver Crown SeriesSeasonDateDriverRace Distance Laps Miles (km)2001June 30Aaron Fike1002002June 29Dave Steele1002003June 28Dave Steele1002004June 26Bobby East1002005June 25Dave Steele1002006June 24Bud Kaeding1002007June 30Brian Tyler1002008June 28Chet Fillip1002009June 27Brian Tyler100Source:Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
USAC National Sprint Car SeriesSeasonDateDriverRace Distance Laps Miles (km)2004June 25Jason McCord602005June 24Ron Gregory602006June 23Brian Tyler602007June 30Bobby East302008June 27Jerry Coons Jr602009June 25Bobby Santos III60Source:Richmond Raceway event history from The Third Turn
References
External links IndyCar.com race page champcarstats.com