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When the Beach Boys sang the line, "she makes the Indy 500 look like Roman Chariot race now" in the hit "Fun Fun Fun", that was a back-handed compliment to a car race that has become a tradition in motor sports, recognized worldwide as a premier event.
When Ray Harroun won the very first Indianapolis 500 in his Marmon Wasp in 1911, he set in motion an event that was to become the major motor sport event in America.

The car race, consisting of 200 laps has been a regular annual event except for the years 1917-18 and 1942-45, thanks to the involvement of America in the two world wars. The Indianapolis is so-called because of the length of the race, 500 miles or 200 laps at 2.5 miles per lap. Since its beginning, there are three drivers who have won the race four times, Foyt, Unser and Mears.

The youngest ever winner was a young amn named Troy Ruttman who was only 22 when he won the Indy 500 in 1952 and the oldest was Al Unser, almost 48 when he won in 1987. Every winner receiving the trophy will note that it is called the Borg-Warner trophy, having been commissioned by the automotive company of the same name in 1935. Five women have competed in the race over the years but never produced a winner. Eight rookies have been successful in lifting the title, the last being Castroneves in 2001.

MILK.
An unusual tradition associated with the Indianapolis 500 is for the winner of the race to drink milk in Victory Lane. This custom dates back to 1935 when winner Louis Meyer would drink buttermilk as a way to refresh himself in the hot weather. He was photographed drinking some milk in Victory Lane and this was reproduced in the newspaper sports section the following day. The executive of the Milk Foundation who captured the photo, pushed to make this a regular feature for winners of the race. Apart from a brief period where milk was not given to the winner, this has become a long-standing tradition that continues to this day.

The Indy 500 is the top event for motor sports enthusiasts in America due in part to its long standing tradition. Before long, the race will be enjoying its centenary which will no doubt be an extra special event. The Indy 500 is no Roman Chariot race, but an exhilarating event for spectators as driver hit the 200 miles per hour mark, seeking to pick up the major trophy in American motor sport.

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