During the race, cars attempt to complete 200 laps around a 2.5-mile track, equal to 500 miles.
The current dimensions of the track are approximately the same as those built in 1909.
The race is one of the most attended one-day sporting events in the world. It attracted crowds of over 400,000 during the 1990s.
Currently, 33 cars start the race in a row of three. In the past there were as many as 21 (1916) and 42 (1933).
With 35 starts, AJ Foyt Jr. has the most number of starts of any pilot.
Four drivers have won the test four times: Foote Jr. in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977; Al-Ansir Sr. in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987; Rick Meyers in 1979, 1984, 1988 and 1991; Helio Castroneves in 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2021.
The youngest winner is Troy Rittman. When he won in 1952, he was 22 years and 80 days old.
The biggest winner was Unser Sr. He was 47 years and 360 days old when he won in 1987.
Since 1936, by tradition, race winners celebrate with a bottle of milk (except 1947-1955).
Record Race Time (200 Laps / 500 Miles) – Tony Kanaan, May 26, 2013; 2 hours, 40 minutes and 3,4181 seconds; The average speed was 187.433 mph.
History
1906 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway is founded by Carl Fischer.
9 February 1909 – The Indianapolis Motor Speedway track was built when Fisher and his partners Jim Ellison, Frank Wheeler and Arthur Newby purchased 328 acres of farmland northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
August 19, 1909 – The first car race takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Twelve thousand people attend.
1911 – The first is the Indianapolis 500, which Ray Harvin wins in 6 hours, 42 minutes and 8 seconds. The race has been held every year since 1911, except for the war years 1917–18 and 1942–45.
[1945-[1945-[1945-[1945- The clue is to see Anton Holman Jr.
1994 – A new open racing championship series, called the Indy Racing League, is launched and features the Indy 500 as the main race. The first races are scheduled for 1996.
March 26, 2020 – It has been announced that the Indianapolis 500, originally scheduled for May 24, has been rescheduled to August 23 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
4 August 2020 – They
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced via Twitter. That the race will take place without the presence of spectators.
.