Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana (a separate city completely surrounded by Indianapolis) in the United States, is the second-oldest surviving auto racing track in the world (after The Milwaukee Mile), having existed since 1909. The track is a relatively flat two and a half mile oval, almost rectangular in shape. It has a spectator capacity of over 300,000, making it the largest sporting facility in the world. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

1912-1939

A classic race followed in 1912 when Ralph DePalma lost a five lap lead with five laps to go when his car broke down. As his car was being pushed around the circuit, Joe Dawson made up the deficit to win the race. These races gave Indy a worldwide reputation and international drivers began to enter. Three of the next four winners were Europeans, with DePalma being the exception.

Related Topics:
1912 - Ralph DePalma - Joe Dawson

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The race was interrupted for two years by World War I, when Indy served as a military hub for repairs. When racing resumed, speeds increased and by 1925, when Peter DePaolo won, the best cars were averaging 100 mph (160 km/h) for the race. By the early 1930s, however, the increasing speeds began to make the track increasingly dangerous, and in the period 1931-1935 there were 15 fatalities. This forced another repavement, with tarmac replacing the bricks in parts of the track. The danger of the track during this period, however, didn't stop Louis Meyer or Wilbur Shaw from becoming three-time winners, with Shaw also being the first back-to-back winner (1939-1940).

Related Topics:
World War I - 1925 - Peter DePaolo - 1930s - Tarmac - Louis Meyer - Wilbur Shaw - 1939 - 1940

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