The Walt Disney World Speedway was a racing facility located just inside the Magic Kingdom parking gates, nestled near Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Built in 1995 by IMS Events, Inc., a subsidiary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, the track was designed by IMS chief engineer Kevin Forbes as a three-turn tri-oval, earning it the nickname “The Mickyard”—a playful nod to both Mickey Mouse and the famed Brickyard in Indianapolis.
Originally constructed to host the Indy 200 at Walt Disney World, the track debuted with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 27, 1995, and was officially dedicated on November 28, 1995, with a five-car “Flying V” formation driven by Indy Racing League stars. The first race took place on January 27, 1996, marking the inaugural event of the Indy Racing League.
Though it briefly hosted NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 1997 and 1998, the track’s primary use quickly shifted to the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which opened on February 7, 1997. Guests could drive or ride in real stock cars, making it a unique thrill for motorsports fans visiting Walt Disney World.
Over time, the track also served as a testing venue for racing teams, thanks to Florida’s mild off-season climate. However, it was never retrofitted with SAFER barriers, and several serious accidents—including one that left driver Sam Schmidt paralyzed—cast a shadow over its legacy.
On March 27, 2015, Disney announced the Speedway would close permanently on August 9, 2015, to make way for transportation improvements to the Magic Kingdom parking lot and entrance. Demolition began later that month, and today, no trace of the track remains.
