Known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500, is a tradition unlike any other. The Indy 500 is more than just a race, it is a week of new and old traditions such as Qualifying, Carb Day, Legends Day, or kissing of the bricks on race day. More than 300,000 in attendance around a two and a half mile track.
The “Brickyard” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) was laid down in 1909 using more than 3.2 million bricks. The Brickyard was built by four entrepreneurs: Carl Fisher, James Allison, Arthur Newby, and Frank Wheeler (History.com). In 1911, the winner of the first Indy 500 had an average race speed of 74.6 miles per hour. As technology developed a new racing surface was required to maintain the safety of the drivers. Safety, at the time, was the least of concerns for the drivers. Drivers did not wear seatbelts and a crash almost certainly led to the driver’s death. Twenty three drivers died in just the 1930’s, some were mechanics but most of them were drivers. In 1961, the bricks were removed except for a three foot wide strip at the start-finish line, replaced with asphalt, a much more safe and durable material. One yard of the original bricks remain exposed at the start-finish line and kissing them after a win remains a time honored tradition among Indy race car drivers (History.com)
Race weekend begins on Friday, also known as Carb Day. Before all of the new technology in the cars, the engineers had until Friday to change the fuel to air ratio using the carburetor. In today’s cars, the carburetor monitors itself, but Friday is still called Carb Day. Every year on Carb Day, there are three main events: final practice where the drivers and engineers get three hours to make last minute changes to the car and get it out on the track at race speeds. The Pit Stop Challenge is when each car’s team competes in a single elimination bracket to see who can complete a pit stop the fastest. Lastly is the Carb Day concert, this year Bret Michaels and The All-American Rejects are performing (Indycar.com). Next is Saturday, Legends Day, and not a ton happens on this day. No teams are allowed on the track. The pits are open to the public in the morning, then the driver autograph time comes after that. In the evening, there is a Legends Day Concert at White River State Park; this year, the band Midland is performing.
On raceday, the cannon fires at six in the morning, and the gates to the track open. At 12:45 ET, the Indy 500 will begin. 200 laps, 500 miles, 32 drivers going 220+ mph for over three hours. Many traditions come with winning the 500. Each racer chooses their preference of milk prior to the race, and then gets to drink their desired milk choice in their car after a win. The driver then receives a wreath, and their face gets put on the Borg Warner Trophy. After the trophy presentation, the winning team goes to the Yard of Bricks, where they all line up and kiss the bricks.
The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single day sporting event in the world, with 350,000 people around a two and a half mile track. Having the chance to experience all of the historical celebrations and traditions is a very memorable experience. If you have the opportunity to attend the Indy 500 or Carb Day you will not forget the sight and sounds of the cars. From the track itself, the IMS Pagota, the museum, or the race week traditions, The Indianapolis 500 is a race full of history.
