The custom of kissing the bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began as an impromptu gesture of triumph that has since become one of the track’s most recognizable rituals.
In 1996, NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett and his crew chief Todd Parrott captured the imagination of fans when they celebrated their Brickyard 400 victory by kneeling on the 36‑inch strip of original bricks that marks the start‑finish line, turning their hats backward and pressing their lips to the historic surface.
From NASCAR to IndyCar
The moment was captured on camera and quickly spread through the motorsport community, but the practice remained confined to NASCAR for several years.
It was not until 2003 that the tradition crossed over to the IndyCar Series, when French driver Gil de Ferran, fresh from his Indianapolis 500 win, joined teammate Helio Castroneves atop the catch fence to honor the same custom.
Since then, the ritual has been adopted by winners of the Indy 500, the Brickyard 400 and other races held at the speedway, turning the act of kissing the bricks into a shared celebration across different open‑wheel and stock‑car disciplines.
The Yard of Bricks, a 36‑inch strip of the original paving that has been preserved since the track’s opening, now serves as a symbolic altar where champions pause, reflect and mark their achievement with a kiss.
For fans and drivers alike, the gesture represents more than a victory; it is a link to the speedway’s storied past and a reminder of the respect owed to the venue that has shaped so many careers.