Indiana’s “Speedway Slammer” becomes the next immigration detention center
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Nom has announced a new nickname for expansion to the Miami Correctional Facility near Indianapolis.
About 70 miles north of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the Indianapolis 500, the new Immigration Detention Center has earned a notable and controversial name.
“Speedway slammer” is what the Trump administration calls it.
“Come to Indiana immediately: Speedway Slammer,” Christie Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, wrote on her X account on August 5th.
In her post, Noem also thanked Indiana Governor Michael Brown. “A partnership to get rid of the worst and worst in our country. If you’re illegally in America, you can find yourself in Speedway Slammer in Indiana.
Homeland Security has also published an image of IndyCar, decorated with the letters of ICE (US immigration and customs enforcement), and the only Mexican in the Indy 500, which belongs to the NTT IndyCar series driver, Pato O’word, and this year’s series.
The car appears to be driving past the prison.
O’Word, who drives Arrow McLaren, ranks second in points in the 2025 season and has won two races this year.
It was not immediately clear whether the use of 5 was intentional to refer to O’Word, or whether it was merely a coincidence. Outside of the numbers, this car had no other connections to the traditional black and papaya-colored chassis of Oward. A spokesman for Aroma Claren declined to comment on the issue when the Indianapolis star, part of the USA Today network, reached.
Border Czar Tom Homan was asked about the request to not use the name Speedway and said he didn’t know who the person behind the name was.
“I don’t want to (defast) the great work they’re doing,” Homan said. “This is a serious job and a dangerous job.”
Penske Entertainment, which owns the Indianapolis Speedway and the NTT IndyCar series, provided a statement to the star who said he was unaware of plans to incorporate the images as part of the announcement.
“In line with our approach to public policy and political issues, we communicate our preference that our IP has not progressed on this issue,” Penske Entertainment said.
Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, received the medal of freedom from President Donald Trump during Trump’s first term in the White House. Penske Entertainment is a subsidiary of Penske Corporation.
Speedway Slammer has joined Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida detention center.
Indiana Governor Brown said in a news release issued by DHS: “Indiana has adopted a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combat illegal immigration and will continue to lead among the states.”
Contributor: Nathan Brown, Indianapolis star
