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The Indianapolis 500 is known and watched throughout the world. It is held annually over the Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in may for non Americans) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at Speedway Indiana. It has one of the largest audiences, in attendance and broadcast, of any sporting event in the world. The Indy 500 is a national and international institution.

The original gravel track was first used for racing in 1909 and a variety of small events were held. The first auto race in history was held there on 19 August 1909 and was a five-mile dash. The promoters then decided to focus on one annual event, and at the urging of principal owner Carl G. Fisher the track was repaved. This was done to provide a better racing surface for cars that were becoming faster and faster, and in response to several deaths.

The race was officially known as the International 500 mile sweepstakes race, and as the liberty sweepstakes in 1919, but a has almost since it began been referred to as the Indy 500 by the public. In the 1980's the original references were dropped and now the race is simply known as the *th Indianapolis 500 race. (The 2008 race will be the 92nd)

On 30 May 1911 the first five hundred mile was held. Ray Harroun driving a Marmon wasp, fitted with his own invention the rear view mirror, won the first race. The very first race gave rise to controversy as Harroun drove without a mechanic seated beside him. This was considered dangerous, as the mechanic was responsible for looking out for traffic, a role Harroun fulfilled himself with his mirror; the mechanic also for watched the oil pressure.

An American driving an American car won this first race but the European manufacturers and drivers soon became interested. Carl Fisher increasing the prize purse to a massive $50,000 in 1912 in part sparked this. In 1913 and 1919 European cars won the race. Following world war one the Americans re-established their dominance, led by the engineer Harry Miller.

A new racing format involving four-lap qualification was introduced in 1920, and in 1923 Tommy Milton became the first driver to win twice.

The track suffered during the Second World War and in 1945 Terry Hulman bought the track, immediately launching an upgrade program for the track and the facilities. 1949 saw the first televised race and the fame and popularity of the race was soon established. Hulman was a master of marketing, establishing a hall of fame (1956) and continually upgrading facilities. By 1961 the entire

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