April 20, 2026
IndyCar Arlington Track: Oldcastle Infrastructure’s Local Strength, National Impact
Background
When IndyCar set its sights on transforming the Arlington, Texas entertainment district into a high‑performance temporary street circuit, the project demanded an infrastructure partner capable of delivering precision, safety, scale, and speed. CRH’s Texas Materials and Oldcastle Infrastructure stepped in as a fully integrated team, combining paving expertise, local manufacturing, and advanced engineering to create the barrier and track systems needed for one of the most scrutinized and safety‑critical racing environments in the world.
The project called for more than concrete. It required a repeatable, high‑strength safety system engineered for impact conditions at over 230 miles per hour, paired with the logistical sophistication needed to deliver nearly 3,000 custom units on an aggressive schedule. Oldcastle Infrastructure became the backbone of this effort, using its local footprint, local talent, and national‑level technical capabilities to bring the vision to life.
Challenges
IndyCar needed a barrier system that had never been produced in Texas at this scale. It required 7,000 PSI compression strength, precise dimensional tolerances, exact reinforcement geometry, and an interlocking design capable of guarding as a continuous safety chain around the entire 2.73‑mile track. Production had to be fast enough to meet a demanding national race timeline, and delivery had to be precise enough to follow the installation road circuit sequence. This sequence was a delicate balance between traffic patterns, road closures, access to area entertainment venues, and race day deadlines.
The project was highly visible, nationally televised, and entirely unforgiving of error. Any variance could disrupt installation, compromise performance, or jeopardize the race schedule. With safety standards set by IndyCar engineering teams and supported by Oldcastle Infrastructure’s expertise in engineered precast solutions, the challenge was to launch an entirely new operation from tooling and process development to full-scale production without the margin for a learning curve. Oldcastle Infrastructure quickly mastered the build requirements and successfully developed a new, efficient production process.
Solution
Oldcastle Infrastructure mobilized its North Texas facilities to manufacture all 2,805 barriers locally, including both straight units and two types of curved segments required for the track. Every barrier was produced using Texas‑sourced aggregates and materials, reinforcing the commitment to being built local at every level.
The Northlake plant was selected as the production hub due to its wet‑cast expertise, floor space, and equipment readiness. Local teams engineered custom solutions such as reinforcement benders, dimensional testing tools, and interlock gauges to ensure the precision needed to meet IndyCar specifications. The engineering and quality teams created a straight‑cement mix design that achieved the required 7,000 PSI strength, eliminating fly ash to maximize consistency.
Each barrier included U‑shaped mesh reinforcement, end‑reinforcing bars, and three full‑length rebars welded across the unit to tie directly into the interlocks. This system ensured the entire barrier line would behave as a continuous chain during impact events. Dimensional accuracy was so strict that interlock tolerances were held within less than one millimeter, verified through custom testing tools and regular dry‑fit checks. Even an overseas quality inspector from Germany validated the production process, confirming reliability and consistency across thousands of units.
Production rapidly scaled from 15 barriers per day to 20 straight and 2 curved units per day, supported by six‑day‑a‑week operations. Despite its tight schedule, the project finished nearly ten weeks ahead of plan, with full production completed in approximately 23 weeks and all deliveries finalized in about 32 weeks. Collaboration across CRH companies, including Texas Materials for paving coordination, ensured seamless integration between barrier placement and track preparation.
Sustainability Impact
By producing all barriers locally, Oldcastle Infrastructure minimized transportation emissions and supported regional supply chains. Texas‑sourced aggregates and on‑site reinforcement fabrication reduced environmental impact compared to importing components or long‑haul shipping. The barrier system was engineered for reusability, allowing the city of Arlington and IndyCar to maximize return on investment while decreasing material waste for future races or events.
The project strengthened local manufacturing capabilities by developing new production processes, tools, and expertise that now benefit future regional and national motorsport events, including upcoming races in Washington, D.C. This creates a long‑term sustainability advantage not only for materials but also for knowledge and workforce development within Texas communities.
Overall Impact
The success of the IndyCar Arlington project demonstrated how CRH’s vertically integrated model delivers unmatched value: precision‑engineered barriers, locally managed production, coordinated paving operations, and high‑pressure logistics all aligned to meet the demands of a world‑class racing organization.
Oldcastle Infrastructure delivered a safety-critical system validated by independent inspection and built the capability to produce a new product type at national scale. For the region, the project became a local economic win that showcased Texas’ capacity to support high-visibility sporting events, bringing jobs, expertise, and community pride along with it.
Local Oldcastle Infrastructure employees had the chance to visit the completed track to see their work in place, which was an experience that amplified team pride and reinforced the real‑world impact of their craftsmanship. The Arlington track is not just a racing venue; it is a living example of what local manufacturing, local materials, and local talent can accomplish when backed by the resources and expertise of a global leader.
Conclusion
For the IndyCar project in Arlington, Texas, Oldcastle Infrastructure delivered more than barriers; it delivered engineering certainty, community investment, and a model for future motorsport infrastructure. Through unmatched technical rigor, rapid production, and seamless coordination across CRH companies, the project stands as a testament to what happens when local expertise and national capability combine to meet extraordinary needs.
For the Arlington community, the impact extends far beyond race day. It is a story of local jobs, regional pride, strengthened infrastructure, and lasting economic value anchored by a barrier system engineered to perform at the highest level of professional motorsport.