It's hard to believe it's been more than 20 years since NASCAR made its first trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  We have a whole new generation of fans who really don't understand what a watershed day it was for the sport.

Until the late 1980s NASCAR was, for the most part, considered a southern sport (despite a schedule that included races all over the country).  But, when NASCAR made its first visit to the hallowed ground of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I believe it instantly gave stock car racing credibility.  Credibility among national and international race fans.  After all, not just any run of the mill racing series got to run at the Brickyard.

Honestly, it does not lend itself to the best stock car racing.  But that really doesn't matter.  The Brickyard is a special place; the most famous racing facility in the world bar none.  And, more than 20 years later, it's marriage with NASCAR has been and continues to be a good one.