The raceway occupies a portion of Sebring Regional Airport (an active airport for private and commercial traffic that was originally built as Hendricks Army Airfield, which was a World War II training base for the United States Army Air Forces).

After the war, Russian-American aeronautical engineer Alec Ulmann[4] was seeking sites for converting military aircraft to civilian use when he discovered potential in Hendricks' runways and service roads to stage a sports car endurance race similar to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race Ulmann was inspired to somewhat re-create in the United States.

[5][6] The Sam Collier 6 Hour Memorial race was won by Frits Koster and Ralph Deshon in a Crosley Hot Shot that had been driven to the track by Victor Sharpe.

However poor attendance and high costs relocated the next U.S. Grand Prix to Riverside International Raceway in southern California.

[10] The track is often recognized for its famous, high-speed "Turn 17",[citation needed] a long, bumpy, fast right-hander that can make or break a car's speed down the front straight.

Skip Barber Racing School held numerous programs at the facility, including a scholarship opportunity for young racers.

There had been many accounts of drivers retiring due to accidents at night, quite simply because they got lost on the runway sections and couldn't find the track again.

[11] Sebring is most notable for hosting the 12 Hours of Sebring, sanctioned by the FIA and IMSA, as part of many major endurance racing series, including the World Sportscar Championship, Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, ALMS, and now, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Many IndyCar, sports prototype, and Grand Touring teams use Sebring for winter testing due to the warm climate.

IndyCar regularly holds tests at the top half of the facility to simulate street circuits on its calendar.