FollowIndianapolis 500 Day
May 24th is Indianapolis 500 Day. Up to 400,000 people attend this world famous race in which specially built cars race around a 2.5 mile circuit.
The actual amount that each driver must complete is a whopping 200 laps which total 500 miles. Many people head to Indiana prior to race day. It is pretty difficult to find comfortable lodgings close to race day. If you are planning to attend this race, it is important that you book the hotel of your choice several months in advance in order to get premium selection.
This event is also known as “Indy Car Racing” and is described as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. It also a part of The Triple Crown of Motosport. This annual event first took place in 1911 on an asphalt track.
The most wins in this car race have been by men. They are AJ Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears. Each of these men have acquired 4 race wins. It should also be mentioned that there has also been women race car drivers. However, the inclusion of females into this particular car racing circuit was not permitted until the late 1970’s. In fact, women were not allowed into the pit area until 1971.
An interesting thing to note about being victorious in this event is that the winner is offered a glass or bottle of 2% or skim milk to relinquish their thirst after the race. This was due to the fact of a prior winner of three of these races, Louis Meyer, always drank milk after a win. He was photographed swigging down a bottle of milk while holding three fingers up in the air signifying his third win.
Since then, milk has been presented to the winner, except in the years from 1947 to 1955. One year, orange juice was drank by the race winner. That act caused him to be booed by the enormous crowd at another car race when he showed up as a participant in that event. The spectators for this particular race relied on dairy farming and or ChampCar race took place. The jeers that followed quickly quenched the idea of serving anything but milk to the Indianapolis 500 race winner.
