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.

Traditions

Due to the longevity of the Indianapolis 500, a number of traditions have developed over the years. For many fans, these traditions are almost as important as the race itself, and they react quite negatively when the traditions are changed or broken.

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Pre-race

An explosive is set off at 5 a.m. to signal the opening of the grounds to spectators.

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In remembrance of Memorial Day, the Purdue University All American Marching Band plays "Taps", and aircraft from the United States military do a fly-by. When multiple aircraft are used, they often execute the missing man formation.

Related Topics:
Memorial Day - Purdue University - Taps - Fly-by - Missing man formation

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Jim Nabors sings "Back Home Again in Indiana", accompanied by the Purdue Marching Band.

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Race

The cars begin the race three abreast in a rolling start. Most other automobile races have two cars in a row.

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Tom Carnegie is the track announcer for the race. Carnegie has been calling the Indianapolis 500 since 1946. He is best known for his lines, "He's on it!" (signalling the start of a qualifying attempt), "It's a new track record!" and "He's slowing down on the backstretch!"

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Post-race

A long-standing tradition of the Indy 500 is for the victor to drink a bottle of milk immediately after the race. This became ritual after 1936 when milk companies were sponsors of the race purse and handed a bottle of milk to the winner to promote their product. Among Indycar drivers, Emerson Fittipaldi is infamous for drinking orange juice after his 1993 victory, before he drank the customary milk.

Related Topics:
Milk - Emerson Fittipaldi - Orange juice

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The winner's face, average speed, and date of victory is added to the Borg-Warner Trophy. A smaller replica of this trophy is later presented to the winner.

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The winner is given the pace car, or a replica of it if the pace car is not street legal.

Related Topics:
Pace car - Street legal

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