Indy 500, Memorial Day. rear-view mirror. trophy

Spotlight:

The Indy 500 Trophy

How large is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? The world's largest spectator sporting facility (it seats 250,000), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway covers 1,025 acres — the oval itself covers 253 acres. Today marks the centennial year of the Indy 500 car race; the world's largest single-day spectator sport event has been held on the Sunday before Memorial Day almost every year since 1911, only skipping 1917-18 and 1942-45, while America was at war in Europe. In the first Indy 500, winner Ray Harroun's Marmon racecar became the first known automobile to sport what would become known as a rear-view mirror. Thirty-three of the world's best drivers will compete today for the chance to get their name on the Borg-Warner Trophy. The flag drops and the cars take off at 12:00 noon ET.

Quote:

"I watched the Indy 500, and I was thinking that if they left earlier they wouldn't have to go so fast." — Steven Wright