Every year in May roughly 300,000 people descend upon that mecca of Hoosier culture, Speedway, Indiana, to take in ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ the Indianapolis 500. If you’ve never attended — or even watched — the famed race, you’ve been missing out on spectacular people-watching, tremendous entertainment and one of the most honored traditions in sport. 2016 marks the 100th running of the race, so whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned fan, there’s no better year to pay close attention. Here are 10 things you should know about the Indy 500.
1. Yes, it really is just left turns.
Despite the perception that drivers repeating four left turns for 500 miles could be boring, the Indianapolis 500’s rich history and high intensity justify its undisputed title of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
2. It’s not just a boy’s club.
While a woman has never won the race, nine women have competed in the Indianapolis 500. The first was Janet Guthrie, who finished ninth in 1978, and the most notable has been Danika Patrick, who has taken home $2.6 million in career earnings from the race, and was the first woman to ever lead a lap during the race.
3. It’s not for the lactose intolerant.
No doubt one of sports’ strangest traditions, the race’s victor is seemingly required to enjoy a glass of milk after this physically excruciating race. In 1993, Brazilian driver Emerson Fittipaldi infamously declined the milk in favor of orange juice, yielding an outcry from race fans. Eventually, however, he was persuaded by car owner Roger Penske to take a sip of milk and honor the bizarre tradition.
4. It’s not a single-day experience.
The month of May in Indy is a special time. For weeks prior to the race, there are practices and qualifications that are all open to the public. On race weekend numerous events and festivities are held, including a mini-marathon, a huge parade and concerts, this year featuring Journey and Blake Shelton.
5. It’s great for the kids.
Don’t hesitate to bring younger kids for the weekend, as almost all pre-race events allow kids 12 and under free admission with a paying adult, making race weekend both family-friendly and affordable.
6. “Big kids” and music enthusiasts will love it too.
During the race, a massive concert, headlined by Skrillex and also featuring Martin Garrix, Zeds Dead and DJ Mustard, will be held within the track. These concerts are comparable to those at Perry’s Stage at Lollapalooza, and will surely be enjoyed by college-age kids and electronic music lovers alike.
7. If you’re in Indy, you can’t watch it live.
To encourage Indianapolis locals to attend the event, the race is not broadcast locally until after it has finished.
8. It’s kind of a big deal.
Though official attendance records aren’t released, estimates show that more than 300,000 people attend the event, making it one of the biggest sporting events in the world. With all of those people, it’s no wonder more than 13,000 gallons of beer are sold at the race.
9. It’s a celebrity affair.
In its early days, performers such as Carol Burnett, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis graced Indianapolis with their presence in the month of May. More recently, actors such as Mark Wahlberg and Jessica Simpson have enjoyed the spectacle. Famously, Jack Nicholson, who was invited to wave the green flag to kick off the race in 2010, was reluctant to get off of the flag stand after his job was done.
10. It’s been going on for more than a century.
Though the inaugural Indianapolis 500 was in 1911, there was a brief hiatus during wartime. So while it has been around for more than a century, this year is the official Indianapolis 500 Centennial, which will surely be as spectacular as it has been for the past 99 runnings.
Sources:
- IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com
- Indianapolis’ WISH-TV Indy 500 Correspondent Laura Steele
More from Make It Better:
