The first running of the Indianapolis 500 was on May 30th, 1911. That race, known as the "International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race," was won by Ray Harroun, who was the only driver in the race without a riding mechanic. Harroun drove a Marmon Wasp to victory, which featured his new invention, a rear-view mirror.While the first race was won by an American car, European cars made their way into Indy the following year, with Fiat and Peugeot developing cars to race from 1912 to 1919. American cars regained prominence for the next 40 years, with scattered appearances by Maserati and Ferrari. The 1960s and 1970s brought more Formula One technology and foreign-born drivers to the Speedway. 1978 saw most chassis and engines in the race of European technology, while the 1980s and 1990s saw an influx of foreign drivers.
The Indy 500 was first run on Sunday in 1974. Prior to that, the race was held on Memorial Day proper (May 30th), unless it fell on Sunday, in which case it was held on Monday, May 31st; this occurred from 1911 to 1970.
In 1971 and 1972, the race was scheduled for the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (the Uniform Monday Holiday Act came into being in 1971). The 1973 race was scheduled for Memorial Day Monday.
Penske is the most victorious car owner at the Indy 500, with 14 wins. Three drivers have four wins a piece - A.J Foyt, Al Unser, Sr., and Rick Mears. Mears also has the most pole positions with six.
Some interesting notes about past and current participants in the 500:
Al Unser, Sr. and Al Unser, Jr. became the first father and son to compete against each other at Indy in 1983. Unser, Jr. became the first second-generation winner when he won the race 1992.
In 1984, Michael Andretti shared Rookie of the Year honors with Roberto Guerrero. This was the first time the son of a Rookie of the Year winner (Mario won in 1965) won the award. Michael's son Marco became the first third-generation driver to win the award in 2006.
In 1988, Bill Vukovich III became the first third-generation driver to qualify and race in the Indy 500.
In 1984, Michael Andretti shared Rookie of the Year honors with Roberto Guerrero. This was the first time the son of a Rookie of the Year winner (Mario won in 1965) won the award. Michael's son Marco became the first third-generation driver to win the award in 2006.
In 1988, Bill Vukovich III became the first third-generation driver to qualify and race in the Indy 500.
The 2007 Indy 500 saw three women in the field for the first time (Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher, and Danica Patrick). Adopted from http://www.associatedcontent.com/
