1912
1913
A four-tier tower of the Japanese pagoda design was erected. It’s believed this design was chosen because co-founder Frank H. Wheeler had a keen interest in Japanese architecture.
DIGITAL DONALD
The Indianapolis 500 became the highest paying sporting event in the world when Carl Fisher increased the total purse to $50,000 and first prize to $20,000.
Navigating World War I
IMS HISTORIAN DONALD DAVIDSON
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1910
The first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, then called the “International Sweepstakes,” was won by Ray Harroun at an average speed of 74.602 mph. It is believed that Harroun’s Marmon “Wasp” was the first automobile, worldwide, to have a rearview mirror.
MAY 30, 1911
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MAY 30,
1911
The first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, then called the “International Sweepstakes,” was won by Ray Harroun at an average speed of 74.602 mph. It is believed that Harroun’s Marmon “Wasp” was the first automobile, worldwide, to have a rearview mirror.
1912
The Indianapolis 500 became the highest paying sporting event in the world when Carl Fisher increased the total purse to $50,000 and first prize to $20,000.
A four-tier tower of the Japanese pagoda design was erected. It’s believed this design was chosen because co-founder Frank H. Wheeler had a keen interest in Japanese architecture.
1913
IMS HISTORIAN DONALD DAVIDSON
DIGITAL DONALD
03/23/2020
VIDEO
Comparisons of Ray Harroun to NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath may seem a stretch, but it is true both...
02/06/2020
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secrets of
the marmon wasp
ARTICLE
READ MORE
01/02/2020
“No race is won until the tape is crossed and I realized that all the time. It’s hard luck, but it’s all in the game. I did my best, and...
Ralph De Palma:
ARTICLE
The oddest event ever staged at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its 100-plus-year history was something called...
02/02/2020
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The Hazard Race of 1910
ARTICLE
1910s ALMANAC
One of the great iconic images of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s earliest days depicts a man crouching over a model of the track...
02/02/2020
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ARTICLE
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02/02/2020
Perhaps the best example of how the founding fathers of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway saw their facility as something more...
THE INDIANAPOLIS AIR SHOW
ARTICLE
Donalds Speaks on the 1909 year.
03/23/2020
The Inaugural Indy 500 Race
VIDEO
Lorem ipsum dolor.
AUDIO
On Aug. 1, 1909 The Indianapolis Star predicted thousands of motorcyclists would soon “invade Indianapolis.”
02/02/2020
THE GREAT MOTORCYCLE INVASION OF 1909
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ARTICLE
Comparisons of Ray Harroun to NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath may seem a stretch, but it is true both predicted...
02/06/2020
Secrets of the Marmon “Wasp”
READ MORE
ARTICLE
“No race is won until the tape is crossed and I realized that all the time. It’s hard luck, but it’s all in the game. I did my best, and...
01/02/2020
Ralph De Palma:
INSPIRATIONAL IN VICTORY & DEFEAT
READ MORE
ARTICLE
1910s ALMANAC
The oddest event ever staged at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its 100-plus-year history was something called...
02/02/2020
The Hazard Race of 1910
READ MORE
ARTICLE
On Aug. 1, 1909 The Indianapolis Star predicted thousands of motorcyclists would soon “invade Indianapolis.”
02/02/2020
THE GREAT MOTORCYCLE INVASION OF 1909
READ MORE
ARTICLE
LOOK BOOK
9/10
Ray Harroun driving his winning Marmon “Wasp” in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Harroun worked in Marmon’s engineering department based in Indianapolis.
8/10
A small pack of cars race through the turns at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911, led by Ralph dePalma (No. 2) and Louis Disbrow (No. 5).
7/10
With a cameraman capturing it all, the field of drivers come through the first turn during the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Drivers pictured in this photo are Will Jones (No. 9), Joe Jagersberger (No. 8) and Louis Disbrow (No. 5).
6/10
Turns 1 and 2 at the south end of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along what would become 16th Street, on
Indianapolis 500 Race Day in 1911.
5/10
An artistic rendition of the event program cover from the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
4/10
A newspaper clipping from the Indianapolis News, which highlights the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and the notable attendance of an automotive industry giant.
On race morning in 1911, the four founding fathers of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pose for a photo
with Henry Ford (left).
3/10
The first 40 drivers to race in the Indianapolis 500 pose for a photo on the frontstretch before the beginning of the Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
2/10
1/10
The 40-car field lines up on the frontstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the inaugural
Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
The Inaugural Indy 500 Race
The indy 500 year-by-year
9/10
Ray Harroun driving his winning Marmon “Wasp” in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Harroun worked in Marmon’s engineering department based in Indianapolis.
8/10
A small pack of cars race through the turns at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911, led by Ralph dePalma (No. 2) and
Louis Disbrow (No. 5).
7/10
With a cameraman capturing it all, the field of drivers come through the first turn during the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Drivers pictured in this photo are Will Jones (No. 9),
Joe Jagersberger (No. 8) and Louis Disbrow (No. 5).
6/10
Turns 1 and 2 at the south end of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along what would become 16th Street, on Indianapolis 500 Race Day in 1911.
5/10
An artistic rendition of the event program cover from the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
4/10
A newspaper clipping from the Indianapolis News, which highlights the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and the notable attendance of an automotive industry giant.
On race morning in 1911, the four founding fathers of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pose for a photo with
Henry Ford (left).
3/10
The first 40 drivers to race in the Indianapolis 500 pose for a photo on the frontstretch before the beginning of the Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
2/10
1/9
The 40-car field lines up on the frontstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
1909
1909
1909
1910s
1910s
1920s
1920s
1930s
1930s
1940s
1940s
1950s
1950s
1960s
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1970s
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2010s
2020
IMS HISTORIAN DONALD DAVIDSON
THE INDY 500 YEAR-BY-YEAR
LOOK BOOK
Inspirational in victory & defeat
The Indy 500’s first
pole sitter
1911: A massive crowd, estimated as
high as 85,000, witnessed the inaugural running of the Indianapolis 500 on
May 30, 1911...
ARTICLE
02/02/2020
The Indy 500 Year-by-Year
READ MORE
Dario Resta, driving a Peugeot, won the 1916 Indianapolis Classic, which, partially due to conservation efforts toward the war in Europe...
ARTICLE
02/11/2020
Navigating World War I
READ MORE
10/10
Ray Harroun takes the checkered flag and wins the inaugural Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911. Harroun finished the race with an average speed of 74.602 mph in just under seven hours.
LOOK BOOK
10/10
Ray Harroun takes the checkered flag and wins the inaugural Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911. Harroun finished the race with an average speed of 74.602 mph in just under seven hours.
9/10
Ray Harroun driving his winning Marmon “Wasp” in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Harroun worked in Marmon’s engineering department based in Indianapolis.
8/10
A small pack of cars race through the turns at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911, led by Ralph dePalma (No. 2) and
Louis Disbrow (No. 5).
7/10
With a cameraman capturing it all, the field of drivers come through the first turn during the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Drivers pictured in this photo are Will Jones (No. 9),
Joe Jagersberger (No. 8) and Louis Disbrow (No. 5).
6/10
Turns 1 and 2 at the south end of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along what would become 16th Street, on Indianapolis 500 Race Day in 1911.
5/10
An artistic rendition of the event program cover from the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
4/10
A newspaper clipping from the Indianapolis News, which highlights the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and the notable attendance of an automotive industry giant.
On race morning in 1911, the four founding fathers of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pose for a photo with
Henry Ford (left).
3/10
The first 40 drivers to race in the Indianapolis 500 pose for a photo on the frontstretch before the beginning of the Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
2/10
1/9
The 40-car field lines up on the frontstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.
10/10
Ray Harroun takes the checkered flag and wins the inaugural Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911. Harroun finished the race with an average speed of 74.602 mph in just under seven hours.
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