Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, frequently shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, is an American race for open-wheel automobiles held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Run for the first time in 1911, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" is one of the oldest and richest motorsport events in existence. This event lends its name to the "IndyCar" class of race cars.

Firsts

• Two-Time Winner: Tommy Milton, 1923
• Three-Time Winner: Louis Meyer, 1936
• Four-Time Winner: A.J. Foyt, 1977
• Back-to-Back Winner: Wilbur Shaw, 1939-1940
• Rookie Winner (excepting first race): Jules Goux, 1913
• Non-US Citizen Winner: Jules Goux (France), 1913
• Rear Engined Car Winning: Jim Clark, Lotus Ford, 1965
• Female Driver: Janet Guthrie, 1977
• Female Leader: Danica Patrick, 2005
• Race over 100 mph: Peter DePaolo, 101.127 mph, 1925
• Race over 150 mph: Jim Clark, 150.686 mph, 1965
• Pole Position over 100 mph: Rene Thomas, 104.780 mph, 1919
• Pole Position over 150 mph: Parnelli Jones, 150.370 mph, 1962
• Pole Position over 200 mph: Tom Sneva, 202.156 mph, 1978
• 1920: Gaston Chevrolet is killed in a race at Beverly Hills and is the first '500' winner to die.
• 1921: Howdy Wilcox was the first driver to finish in first and last place (1919 & 1921).
• 1922: Jimmy Murphy was the first driver to win from pole and lead the first and last lap of the same race in 1922. In 1923 Murphy was the first defending winner to lead the first lap.
• 1929: Cliff Woodbury was the first pole winner to finish last (crash Lap 3)
• 1936: Louis Meyer becomes the first driver to drink milk in victory lane. He also became the first driver to receive the pace car for his winning effort. The Borg-Warner Trophy made its first appearance.
• 1947: Lou Moore's team of Mauri Rose and Bill Holland score the first team one-two finish
• 1952: Art Cross becomes the first Rookie of the Year
• 1958: The front row drivers (Dick Rathmann, Ed Elisian, Jimmy Reece) failed to lead a lap . The only time this has occurred to date.
• 1986: Race is televised live flag-to-flag on ABC Sports for the first time.