‘Start your engines’ – Museum explores the history of the Indianapolis 500
The first race sped around the oval in 1911. Except for breaks during two world wars, the Indianapolis 500 has been the auto race to watch every Memorial Day weekend. The 2017 race today at the Indianapolis Speedway marks the 101st running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
The Indy 500 has long been the race to which I’ve paid attention. I remember the names of the best-known racers of the 1970-80s – Al Unser, Bobby Unser, AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Bobby Rahal and Emerson Fittipaldi.
Ray Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500. Since then, 68 men have joined Harroun as Indy 500 champions.
The history of the Indianapolis 500 is shared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The museum is located inside the racing oval. The museum has more than a hundred cars on display, several of them Indy 500 champions. The first museum opened in 1956. The current facility opened in 1976.
As visitors enter the museum, they’re greeted by the main types of race cars in the foyer – drag, Indy and NASCAR. The style of each car is interesting in that their design is specific to its race.
The Indy-style cars occupy the majority of the museum. From the first car to win the Indy 500 – a six-cylinder single-seat Marmon “Wasp” – to more recent models, the museum runs the gamut of open-wheeled cars.
The 1911 “Wasp” and the 2011 winning car – a Dallara chassis – sit side-by-side to recognize the first century of racing in Indianapolis. Alexander Rossi won the 100th race in 2016 driving a Dallara model.
Champions from 1914-15 are on display. Rene Thomas and Ralph DePalma were the second and third international drivers to capture the checkered flag in the Indy 500’s five-year history. The race wasn’t run 1917-18 because of World War I. From 1919-1941, American drivers won 24 of 25 races, including 24 consecutive races. The Indy 500 wasn’t held during World War II (1942-45). International drivers have won 25 of the 100 races.
Following World War II, American drivers dominated the race, winning 19 consecutive Indy 500 races. They won 44 0f 50 races between 1946 and 1995. The 1957-58 champions’ cars are on display at the museum. Sam Hanks and Jimmy Bryan won for the team owned by George Salih.
The Indianapolis 500 has seen three men win the title four times. AJ Foyt was the first, winning the race in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977. Al Unser Sr. won the race in 1970-71, 1978 ad 1987. Rick Mears became the third driver to join the four-time winners club, capturing the flag in 1979, 1984, 188 and 1991.
Since 1996, Americans have won six races while international drivers have captured the title 12 times. Helio Castroneves has been the dominant driver, winning the Indy 500 three times since 2001. Castroneves can join the four-time winners club with his next victory.
Nine female drivers have raced in the Indy 500, beginning with Janet Guthrie in 1977. Sarah Fisher has raced the most with nine appearances, including her highest finish at 17th place in 2007. Danica Patrick made the Indy 500 seven times. She became the first female driver to lead the race, for 19 laps. She owns the best finish by a woman at third place.
Two African Americans have raced in the Indy 500 – Willy T. Ribbs twice and George Mack in 2002. Ribbs’ best finish was 21st in 1993. Mack finished 17th in his only appearance.
The museum highlights a great history of auto racing – from the invention of race cars to historical events. A three-wheeled car created by Leon Bollee in France raced in 1896.
Cars that race in a variety of styles under specific sponsors can be seen at the museum. Anyone who has watched a race has seen the multitude of sponsors splattered all over cars. Home Depot is among the exhibits due to its 1999 “Double Duty.” Tony Stewart became the first driver to complete both the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, NC, and the Indy 500 on the same day.
Ownership of the Indianapolis Speedway has passed through several hands over the years. From racing enthusiasts to military heroes to the current family ownership, three groups have primarily owned the race. Carl Fisher envisioned an auto race in Indianapolis. He was joined by three business associates – Arthur Newby, James Allison and Frank Wheeler – in creating the speedway. They owned the race 1909-27.
World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker led a group that bought the race in 1927 from the original owners. Rickenbacker oversaw several safety changes made to the track and race. The track fell into disrepair during World War II. In 1945, Rickenbacker’s group sold the Indy 500 to Anton Hulman Jr., an Indiana native. The speedway remains under the family’s ownership today.
A visit to the Indianapolis Speedway Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of possibly America’s best-known auto race. Checking out each car and exhibit can help people learn the history of the Indianapolis 500, auto racing in general and other events of the eras covered. Visitors can also take a bus tour of the oval track, if they want to add it to their museum ticket price.
The Speedway Museum is a fun place to visit. We’ve been there twice and I look forward to returning in the future. We recommend visiting the Speedway during your visit to the Indianapolis area.
For more information on the Indianapolis Speedway Museum, please visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
