when did the indy 500 moved to sunday

What is the history of the Indy 500?

In 1994, Speedway owner Tony George announced plans for a new series, to be called the Indy Racing League, with Indy 500 as its centerpiece. George announced that he intended to reverse the tide of dramatic cost increases, the decreasing number of ovals in the CART series, and to allow for more opportunity for drivers from USAC sprint-car ranks.

When does the Indy 500 start in May?

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officially opens for business for May next weekend with the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 15 taking place on the track’s road course. The action then will move to the 2.5-mile oval for two weeks of practice, qualifying and then the 500-Mile Race on May 30.

Why is the Indianapolis 500 not held on a Sunday?

When Tony Hulman bought the Speedway after World War II, Speedway management continued to refuse to schedule the race on a Sunday, a policy that stayed in place through 1973. Qualifying and practice, however, were regularly held on Sundays during those years, with no days closed to spectators.

How do drivers get to the Indy 500 from Indianapolis?

After the Indy 500, drivers would catch a helicopter directly from the Speedway to Indianapolis International Airport. From there they would fly to Concord Regional Airport, and ride a helicopter to the NASCAR race. John Andretti, Tony Stewart, and Robby Gordon attempted the feat, with Kurt Busch being the latest in 2014.

Who Refused milk at Indy 500?

In 1993, Emerson Fittipaldi bucked the tradition by drinking orange juice in order to promote the citrus industry of his native Brazil. As a result, he was booed by fans both in post-race and for some time afterwards. The backlash was so intense towards Fittipaldi that he issued a formal apology days later.

What years did the Indy 500 not race?

The race was canceled due to the United States involvement in World War II. In total, the Indianapolis 500 was not held from 1942 to 1945. This was the second instance in which the Indianapolis Motor Speedway suspended the annual running of the Indianapolis 500.

Why do they drink milk after the Indianapolis 500?

Louis Meyer began the hallowed tradition of milk drinking after his second Indy 500 win in 1933. He sipped from a glass of milk, saying his mother had told him a glass of buttermilk was the best thing to drink on a hot day.

Who has raced Indy 500 and Coca Cola 600 same day?

Johnson said Thursday he's open to driving the "Memorial Day Double" -- competing in the Indy 500 and then the Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, North Carolina on the same day. Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and John Andretti have accomplished the feat.

Has anyone won the Indy 500 5 times?

With Castroneves' win in the 2021 Indy 500, he tied A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears for the most wins all-time in the history of the race with four....MORE: Here are the 5 closest Indianapolis 500 finishes in race history.DriverWinsWilbur Shaw1937, 1939, 1940Louis Meyer1928, 1933, 19364 more rows•May 29, 2022

Who is the oldest driver to win Indy 500?

Al UnserQ. Who is the oldest winner of the Indianapolis 500? A. Al Unser was 47 years, 360 days old when he won the 71st Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 1987.

Why do Nascar drivers wear diapers?

The wearing of them even lends itself to safety hazards. If a diaper is constructed of natural fibers, this highly increases its flammability. When a car catches fire, the only protection for the driver is the components of their fire retardant suit, anything flammable on the driver's body puts them at risk.

Why do they kiss the bricks at Indy?

The tradition of "kissing the bricks" was started by NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett. After his Brickyard 400 victory in 1996, Jarrett and crew chief Todd Parrott decided to walk out to the start-finish line, kneel and kiss the Yard of Bricks to pay tribute to the fabled history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

How much is the Indy 500 purse?

Marcus Ericsson earns $3.1 million for Indy 500 win, largest payout in race's biggest purse. INDIANAPOLIS – With more than 325,000 fans on-hand, the second-largest crowd in a quarter-century, Roger Penske and Penske Entertainment Corp.

Who raced both Indy and Charlotte?

The World 600 is held on Sunday May 26, and the Indy 500 is held Thursday May 30. Jerry Grant becomes the second driver to compete in both races in the same year. He finished 12th at Charlotte and 23rd at Indy.

Did Tony Stewart ever win the Daytona 500?

After 17 tries behind wheel, Tony Stewart's 1st Daytona 500 win comes as owner. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.

Who has won both Indy 500 and Daytona 500?

A. J. Foyt and Mario Andretti are the only drivers to have won both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. Both drivers also won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Foyt won four editions of the Indianapolis 500, and collected seven open-wheel titles and a 24 Hours of Le Mans win.

When was the Indianapolis 500 first held?

The race was originally advertised as the "International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race" from 1911 to 1916. However, from its inception, the race has been widely known as the Indianapolis 500 or, more simply as "the 500". In 1919, the race was referred to as the "Liberty Sweepstakes" following WWI. From 1920 to 1980, the race officially reverted to the "International Sweepstakes" moniker, as printed on the tickets and other paraphernalia, with slight variations over the years.

When did the Indianapolis 500 and the World 600 happen?

In the 1960s and early 1970s, the Indy 500 and the World 600 (now known as the Coca-Cola 600) at Charlotte Motor Speedway were held on different days of the week. A handful of NASCAR regulars participated in both events in the same year, including Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough, and Lee Roy Yarbrough. From 1974 to 1992, the two events were scheduled for the same day and same starting time, making participation in both impossible. A few stock car drivers during that time, namely Neil Bonnett in 1979, nevertheless still attempted to qualify at Indy, even if that meant skipping Charlotte altogether.

How fast is the Indianapolis 500?

37.895 sec (237.498 mph; 382.182 km/h) ( Arie Luyendyk, Reynard/Ford-Cosworth XB, 1996) The Indianapolis 500, also formally known as the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, or simply the Indy 500, is an annual automobile race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in Speedway, Indiana, United States, an enclave suburb of Indianapolis.

What year was the 65th Indianapolis 500?

Usually the ordinal (e.g. "50th") preceded it. Often the race was also advertised on the radio as the "Annual Memorial Day race," or similar variations. For the 1981 race, the name "65th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race" was officially adopted, with all references as the "International Sweepstakes" dropped.

What is the engine used in the 2020 Indianapolis 500?

As of 2020, all entrants utilize 2.2 L V6, twin- turbocharged engines, tuned to produce a range of 550–750 horsepower (410–560 kW). Chevrolet and Honda are the current engine manufacturers involved in the sport. Dallara is at present the sole chassis supplier to the series. Firestone, which has a deep history in the sport, dating back to the first 500, is currently the exclusive tire provider.

When was Indianapolis built?

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex was built in 1909 as a gravel-and-tar track and hosted a smattering of small events, including ones for motorcycles. The first long-distance event, in "fearful conditions," was the 100-lap Prest-O-Lite Trophy in 1909, won by Bob Burman in a Buick. The breakup of the track surface led to two fatal accidents in the first two long-distance events (a 250 mi (400 km) and 300 mi (480 km), which was shortened to 235 mi (378 km) after two severe wrecks).

Is the Indianapolis 500 the same day as the Coca Cola 600?

Since 1993, the Coca-Cola 600 has been scheduled in the evening the same day as the Indy 500. The effort has been known as "Double Duty" .

When is the GMR Grand Prix?

GMR Grand Prix Makes Historic Move. The GMR Grand Prix will take the green flag Saturday, July 4, before the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the IMS road course – the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard.

Is the Indianapolis 500 on NBC?

The Indy 500 will be broadcast on NBC for the second consecutive year. “The Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is my favorite time of year, and like our fans, I am disappointed that we have had to reschedule the Indianapolis 500,” track owner Roger Penske said in a March release. “However, the health and safety ...

Is the Indianapolis 500 rescheduled?

The Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge has been rescheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) announced today. The 104th edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will air live on NBC, with the official green flag time to be announced at a later date.

When did the Indianapolis 500 stop using gasoline?

Later, the nickname was used for the main corridor of the garage area, and eventually was used colloquially for the entire garage complex. The use of gasoline at the Indy 500 was phased out in favor of methanol beginning in 1965 (and later ethanol in 2006 ), but the nickname nonetheless remained.

When is the Indianapolis 500 practice?

In early years, the track traditionally opened for practice on May 1 (regardless of the day of the week). This practice dated back to 1911. The policy was typically to make the track available for practice no later than May 1 , although in most years, few if any competitors might be on the grounds yet. It was not uncommon for local entries to begin setting up in the garage area in early/mid-April to work on their cars. Out-of-town or overseas entries sometimes arrived in Indianapolis (sometimes after lengthy travels) and set up shop in a local garage before moving into the track. In some years, the track might even be available for practice and testing as early as mid-April. For instance, in 1932, cars began to arrive on April 6, and in 1969, the first day of practice was April 28. In very early years, it was not uncommon for the track to be closed on Sundays during practice, or be open for only competitors with the gates closed to the public. In 1974, due to the energy crisis, the schedule was reduced, and the track opened instead three weeks before race day. The change was well-received, and the new schedule was made permanent, with various tweaks over the years.

What is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway called?

The nickname of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the "Brickyard." When the track opened in August 1909, the surface was composed of crushed stone and tar. This surface quickly was deemed unsuitable and dangerous after multiple accidents. In the fall of 1909, the track was paved in brick. In just over two months, 3.2 million bricks were hand laid on a bed of sand and the gaps were filled with mortar. Before the work was completed, locals nicknamed the track the "Brickyard". Beginning in the 1930s, portions of the track were paved over in asphalt, beginning with the turns. By the late 1950s, only a portion of the mainstretch remained brick.

What are the traditions of the Indianapolis 500?

Traditions include procedures for the running of the race, scheduling, and pre-race and post-race festivities. For many fans, these traditions are an important aspect of the race, and they have often reacted quite negatively ...

How many miles does an engine need to run in Indianapolis?

Under current INDYCAR rules, an engine must reach 2,550 miles (or 4,100 km) during the season in order to be eligible for a fresh engine.

How many bricks were used in the 1961 Indianapolis 500?

One yard of bricks was left exposed at the start/finish line. The vast majority of the original 3.2 million bricks remain in place, several inches beneath multiple layers of asphalt. Some bricks have been unearthed from the track over the years, namely in the locations where the infield access tunnels have been constructed. Subsequent repavings of the track in 1976, 1988, 1995, and 2004, have preserved the bricks in place underneath. However, the yard of bricks exposed at the start/finish line has been dug up in those instances by milling operations. Different bricks - ostensibly bricks that were dug up at one point from other parts of the track - were cleanly re-laid in that place, both for safety and aesthetic reasons.

How many people attend the 500th annual parade?

The 500 Festival Parade is one of the nation's largest, regularly drawing 300,000 spectators.

How many fans are there at the 2020 Indianapolis 500?

Even better, it’ll have a crowd again: 135,000 fans (with face coverings required) have been approved to attend the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500, which will take place on Sunday, May 30 and will be broadcast on NBC. After the 2020 race was held in August and without fans for the first time in the storied race’s history because ...

How much does the Indianapolis 500 weigh?

The trophy is 5 feet, 4.75 inches high and weighs 110 pounds. It’s valued at more than $3 million and also features a 24-karat gold sculpture of late IMS owner Tony Hulman. It resides at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum. Since 1988, race winners have received a 14-inch “Baby Borg” to keep.

How many cars were in the 1911 500 mile race?

There were 40 cars that started the inaugural 500 Mile Race in 1911. Afterward, the American Automobile Association’s contest board decided the field was too big for the 2.5-mile track. A formula was created that decreed each car should be entitled to 400 feet when the field was spread around the track.

Overview

Race specifics

History

Race sanctioning

NASCAR and the 500

Culture

Broadcasting

See also