Indianapolis Motor Speedway

NARRATOR: This Indiana Bicentennial minute is made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and law firm of Krieg DeVault.

Black and white videos of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is shown.

PAULEY: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built by Carl Fischer as a test track for the city’s growing automobile industry in 1909.

Black and white videos show the first races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

PAULEY: In 1911 it became a place of legend when Ray Haroon won the first Indianapolis 500 mile race averaging 74 miles per hour.

Pictures of Wilbur Shaw, AJ Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser are shown after they’ve won the Indy 500. They are shaking hands or posing with their trophy and wreath around their neck.

PAULEY: Shelbyville Wilbur Shaw was the first to win by to back Indy 500s. Some drivers have one 3, but only the famed AJ Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser Senior have won 4. The brick surface was replaced by asphalt in the 1930s except for a strip of bricks the winners kiss today.

An image of the famous brick strip on the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway is shown.

PAULEY: 2016 is the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 held at the most famous racetrack in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I’m Jane Pauley with this Indiana Bicentennial Minute.

NARRATOR: Made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and law firm of Krieg DeVault.