INDIANAPOLIS, IN - A devastating tornado ripped through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon, causing catastrophic damage to the iconic racing venue just hours before the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The twister, part of a powerful storm system that swept across central Indiana, touched down around 3:15 p.m. local time near the speedway's Turn 2. Packing winds estimated at 150 mph, the tornado tore across the 2.5-mile oval track, shredding catch fences, ripping up yards of asphalt, and sending debris flying in all directions.