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{{Short description|Annual auto race held in Speedway, Indiana, US}}
{{Redirect|Indy 500}}
{{for|the 2025 race|2025 Indianapolis 500}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox motor race
| Race title = Indianapolis 500
| Logo = Indianapolis 500 textlogo.svg
| Track map = [[File:Indianapolis Oval.svg|200px]]
| Series long = [[IndyCar Series]]
| Series short = IndyCar
| Venue = [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]]
| Location = [[Speedway, Indiana]], U.S.
| Coordinates =
| Sponsor = PennGrade Motor Oil (2016–2018) Gainbridge Insurance Agency (2019–present)
| First race = [[1911 Indianapolis 500|1911]]
| First series race =[[1996 Indianapolis 500|1996]]
| Last race = 
| Distance = {{convert|500|mi|sigfig=3}}
| Laps = 200
| Previous names = '''500-Mile International Sweepstakes''' (1911–1915, 1920–1941, 1946–1980)<br />'''300-Mile International Sweepstakes''' (1916)<br />'''Liberty Sweepstakes''' (1919)
| Most wins driver = [[A. J. Foyt]] (4)<br />[[Al Unser]] (4)<br />[[Rick Mears]] (4)<br />[[Hélio Castroneves]] (4)
| Most wins team = [[Penske Racing|Penske]] (20)
| Most wins manufacturer = '''Chassis:''' [[Dallara]] (26)<br />'''Engine:''' [[Offenhauser]] (27)<br>'''Tires:''' [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]] (76)
| Surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| Length mi = 2.5
| Turns = 4
| Record time = 37.895 sec (237.498 mph; 382.182 km/h)
| Record driver = [[Arie Luyendyk]]
| Record car = Reynard/Ford-Cosworth XB
| Record year = [[1996 Indianapolis 500|1996]]
| Record class =
}}

The '''Indianapolis 500''', formally known as the '''Indianapolis 500-Mile Race''',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Is it May yet? No. But it's on the way.|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2020/05/12/indianapolis-500-may-yet-no-but-its-coming/3116883001/|last=Ayello|first=Jim|website=The Indianapolis Star|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1919 Indy 500 comes roaring back following war break|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2016/02/26/1919-indy-500-comes-roaring-back-following-war-break/81014690/|website=The Indianapolis Star|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030055517/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2016/02/26/1919-indy-500-comes-roaring-back-following-war-break/81014690/|url-status=live}}</ref> and commonly shortened to '''Indy 500''', is an annual automobile race held at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] in [[Speedway, Indiana]], United States, an [[enclave]] [[suburb]] of [[Indianapolis]]. The event is traditionally held over [[Memorial Day]] weekend, usually the last weekend of May. It is contested as part of the [[IndyCar Series]], the top level of [[American open-wheel car racing]], a [[formula racing|formula]] colloquially known as "Indy car racing". The track itself is nicknamed the "Brickyard", as the racing surface was first paved in [[brick]] in the fall of 1909. One yard of brick remains exposed at the start/finish line. The event, billed as ''The Greatest Spectacle in Racing'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis 500 |url=https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216000607/http://www.indy500.com/stats/driver/Howard_Hall |url-status=live }}</ref> is considered part of the [[Triple Crown of Motorsport]] along with the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] and the [[Monaco Grand Prix]], with which it has frequently shared a date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-28 |title=Racing's pinnacle: Sunday brings the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 |url=https://www.espn.com/auto/story/_/id/33999534/the-monaco-grand-prix-indianapolis-500-coca-cola-600-combine-unforgettable-sunday |access-date=2022-05-29 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529113008/https://www.espn.com/auto/story/_/id/33999534/the-monaco-grand-prix-indianapolis-500-coca-cola-600-combine-unforgettable-sunday |url-status=live }}</ref>

The inaugural race was held in [[1911 Indianapolis 500|1911]] and was won by [[Ray Harroun]]. The event celebrated its 100th anniversary in [[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]], and the 100th running was held in [[2016 Indianapolis 500|2016]]. The event was put on hiatus twice, from 1917 to 1918 due to [[World War I]] and from 1942 to 1945 due to [[World War II]]. In two different periods, the race was part of [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile#FIA World Championships|FIA World Championships]]; between [[1925 Grand Prix season|1925]] and [[1928 Grand Prix season|1928]], the [[World Manufacturers' Championship]] and between [[1950 Formula One season|1950]] and [[1960 Formula One season|1960]], the [[Formula One|World Drivers' Championship]].

[[Álex Palou]], the winner in [[2025 Indianapolis 500|2025]], is the reigning champion. The most successful drivers are [[A. J. Foyt]], [[Al Unser|Al Unser Sr.]], [[Rick Mears]] and [[Hélio Castroneves]], each of whom has [[List of Indianapolis 500 winners|won the race]] four times. The active driver with the most victories is Castroneves. [[Rick Mears]] holds the record for most career [[List of Indianapolis 500 pole-sitters|pole positions]] with six. The most successful car owner is [[Roger Penske]], owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and [[Team Penske]], which has 20 total wins and 19 poles. Penske also has five wins at the [[Grand Prix of Indianapolis]], held on the [[Oval track racing#Combined road course|combined road course]].

The event is steeped in [[Indianapolis 500 traditions|tradition]], in pre-race ceremonies, race procedure, and post-race celebrations. Among them are the 33-car starting grid lined up in rows of three, the annual singing of the chorus of "[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]", and the victory-lane bottle of milk. Qualifying requires the driver to complete four, rather than one, timed laps, and the time trials are conducted on a separate weekend. The official attendance is not disclosed by Speedway management, but the permanent [[seating capacity]] is roughly 235,000,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/indy-500/2025/04/23/indy-500-tickets-update-doug-boles-ims-grandstand-available/83233310007/|title=Don't have Indy 500 tickets yet? Better hurry as sellout nears, IMS president Doug Boles says|first=Nathan|last=Brown|work=[[The Indianapolis Star|IndyStar.com]]|date=April 23, 2025|access-date=May 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423185154/https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/indy-500/2025/04/23/indy-500-tickets-update-doug-boles-ims-grandstand-available/83233310007/|archive-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> and infield patrons raise typical race-day attendance to between 350,000 and 400,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/stadium_list/100000.shtml|title=World Stadiums – Stadium List :: 100 000+ Stadiums|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=23 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023205044/http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/stadium_list/100000.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==

===Early years===
[[File:1912 Indianapolis 500, Joe Dawson winning.jpg|thumb|[[Joe Dawson (racing driver)|Joe Dawson]] winning the [[1912 Indianapolis 500]]]]

The [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] complex was built in 1909 as a gravel-and-tar track and hosted a smattering of small events, including ones for [[motorcycle]]s.<ref>Kettlewell, Mike. "Indianapolis:  The Richest Race in the World", in Northey, Tom, ed. ''World of Automobiles'' (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 9, p.1012.</ref> The first long-distance event, in "fearful conditions", was the 100-lap [[Prest-O-Lite]] Trophy in 1909, won by [[Bob Burman]] in a [[Buick]].<ref>He averaged {{convert|53.77|mph|abbr=on}} Kettlewell, p.1013.</ref> The breakup of the track surface led to two fatal accidents in the first two long-distance events (a {{convert|250|mi|abbr=on}} and {{convert|300|mi|abbr=on}}, which was shortened to {{convert|235|mi|abbr=on}} after two severe wrecks).<ref>[[William Bourque]] (Kettlewell, p.1013, mistakenly identifies him as William) and his [[riding mechanic]] were killed after hitting a pothole in the 250, and [[Charlie Merz]]'s riding mechanic, Claude Kellum, as well as two spectators, were killed in the 300; following Merz's crash, there was another serious crash, also. Kettlewell, p.1013.</ref>

The fact that these spectacles had attracted 15,000 paying customers (and crowds of up to 40,000)<ref>Kettlewell, pp.1012–3.</ref> persuaded principal owner [[Carl G. Fisher]] to spend $155,000<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013">Kettlewell, p.1013.</ref> on repaving the track with 3.2 million bricks;<ref name="INDY2">{{cite web|title=Yard of Bricks|url=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/facility/35549-Yard-of-Bricks/|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=May 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515131035/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/facility/35549-Yard-of-Bricks/|url-status=live}}</ref> he also added a {{convert|33|in|m|2|adj=mid}} tall concrete wall around the track's circumference.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013" /> During the 1910 [[Decoration Day]] weekend, the first events on the newly paved circuit drew 60,000 spectators; [[Ray Harroun]] won the {{convert|200|mi|adj=mid}} Wheeler-Schebler Trophy in a [[Marmon Motor Car Company|Marmon]].<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013" />

The crowds grew progressively smaller for the rest of the season, however, so the track owners chose to focus on a single race, and considered a 24-hour contest, in the fashion of [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], or a {{convert|1000|mi|adj=on|spell=in}} event.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013" /> They decided on {{convert|500|mi}}, the estimated distance a race car could run before dark descended on the track,<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Martin|first1=J. A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AgChAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA24|title=American Auto Racing: The Milestones and Personalities of a Century of Speed|last2=Saal|first2=Thomas F.|date=2004-03-05|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786412358|pages=24|language=en}}</ref> and a spectacular [[prize money|purse]] of $25,000, [[Gold Standard Act|equivalent]] to {{convert|82.93|lb}} of pure [[gold]].<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013" /> The combination allowed the track to rapidly acquire a privileged status for automobile races.

The [[1911 Indianapolis 500|first "500"]] was held at the Speedway in 1911 on [[Memorial Day|Decoration Day]], May 30,<ref name="INDY3">{{cite web|title=IMS Milestones: 1906–1911|url=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/35207-1906-1911-Milestones/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606234641/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/35207-1906-1911-Milestones/|archive-date=2010-06-06|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}}</ref> (as it was known from its inception in 1868 to 1967, when federal law made "Memorial Day" the official name), run to a {{convert|600|cid|adj=mid}} maximum engine size formula.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013" /> It saw a field of 40 starters,<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1013" /> with Harroun piloting a Marmon Model 32-based ''Wasp'' racer—outfitted with his invention, the [[rear view mirror|rear-view mirror]].<ref name="INDY4">{{cite web|title=The Marmon Wasp|url=http://www.marmon.com/MarmonWasp.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616001944/http://www.marmon.com/MarmonWasp.asp|archive-date=2010-06-16|publisher=The Marmon Group}}</ref> Harroun (with relief from [[Cyrus Patschke]])<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014">Kettlewell, p.1014.</ref> was declared the winner, although [[Ralph Mulford]] protested the official result. Eighty thousand spectators were in attendance, and an annual tradition had been established. Many considered Harroun to be a hazard during the race, as he was the only driver in the race driving without a [[riding mechanic]], who checked the oil pressure and let the driver know when traffic was coming.<ref>Leerhsen, Charles, "100 Years of the Indy 500", ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', 30 May 2011, pp. 52–56.</ref>
{{Wikisource|Train and Trolley Bear in Thousands}}
In 1912, the purse was raised to <!--US-->$50,000,<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014" /> the field was limited to 33 (where it remains), and a riding mechanic was made mandatory.<ref>Kettlewell, p.1014</ref> This second event was won by [[Joe Dawson (racing driver)|Joe Dawson]] in a [[National Motor Vehicle Company|National]],<ref>The company was owned by Speedway investor [[Arthur C. Newby]].</ref> after [[Ralph DePalma]]'s [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] broke.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014" /> Although the first race was won by an American driver at the wheel of an American car, European makers such as the [[Italy|Italian]] [[Fiat]] or [[France|French]] [[Peugeot]] companies soon developed their vehicles to try to win the event, which they did from 1912 to 1919. The 1913 event saw a change to a {{convert|450|cid|adj=mid}} maximum engine size.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014" />

After [[World War I]], the native drivers and manufacturers regained their dominance of the race, and engineer [[Harry Arminius Miller|Harry Miller]] set himself up as the most competitive of the post-war builders.<ref name="INDY5">{{cite web|title=Miller History|url=http://www.milleroffy.com/Racing%20History.htm#Miller_History|publisher=The Miller/Offenhauser Historical Society|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425221353/http://www.milleroffy.com/Racing%20History.htm#Miller_History|url-status=live}}</ref>

For musical entertainment before the start of the race, the [[Purdue All-American Marching Band]] has been the host band of the race since 1919. In 1946, American [[opera]]tic tenor and car enthusiast [[James Melton]] started the tradition of singing "[[Back Home Again in Indiana]]" with the [[Purdue All-American Marching Band|Purdue Band]] before the race when asked to do so on the spur of the moment by Speedway president [[Tony Hulman]]. This tradition has continued through the years, notably by actor and singer [[Jim Nabors]] from 1972 until 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=James Melton Autorama|url=http://www.lostparks.com/melton.html|publisher=Florida's Lost Tourist Attractions|access-date=March 5, 2011|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618182147/http://lostparks.com/melton.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Nabors announced in 2014, citing health-related reasons, that the 2014 Indy 500 would be the last at which he would sing the song. In 2015, the [[a cappella]] group [[Straight No Chaser (group)|Straight No Chaser]] sang the song before the race, and in the two races held after Nabors' retirement (and before he became the regular singer), the singing of the song was done on a rotating basis, with the Spring 2014 winner of ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice]]'' [[Josh Kaufman (singer)|Josh Kaufman]] performing in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watch Straight No Chaser step into Jim Nabors' shoes, sing to kick off the Indy 500|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/24/straight-no-chaser-performs-indy-500|access-date=1 May 2016|work=Entertainment Weekly's EW.com|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126094930/https://ew.com/article/2015/05/24/straight-no-chaser-performs-indy-500/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the Speedway has returned to a standard singer with [[Jim Cornelison]] doing it since 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title='(Back Home Again in) Indiana': Reaction to Jim Cornelison's booming rendition|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/indy-500/2019/05/26/indy-500-jim-cornelison-back-home-again-in-indiana/1245174001/|access-date=2019-05-28|website=Indianapolis Star|language=en|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026051025/https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/indy-500/2019/05/26/indy-500-jim-cornelison-back-home-again-in-indiana/1245174001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Miller and Offenhauser===
[[File:Mercedes w154 indianapolis.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Mercedes-Benz W154]] entered by Don Lee at the [[1947 Indianapolis 500]] with [[Duke Nalon]] as driver]]

Following the European trends, engine sizes were limited to {{convert|183|cid|cc|abbr=on}} during 1920–1922, {{convert|122|cid|cc|abbr=on}} for 1923–1925, and {{convert|91|cid|cc|abbr=on}} in 1926–1929.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014" /> The 1920 race was won by [[Gaston Chevrolet]] in a [[Frontenac Motor Corporation|Frontenac]], prepared by his brothers, powered by the first eight-cylinder engine to win the 500.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014" /> For 1923, riding mechanics were no longer required.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1015">Kettlewell, p.1015.</ref> A [[Supercharging|supercharged]] car, ID, first won the race in 1924.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1015" /> In 1925, [[Pete DePaolo]] was the first to win at an average over {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, with a speed of {{convert|101.13|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1014" />

In the early 1920s, Miller built his 3.0-liter (183 in<sup>3</sup>) engine, inspired by the [[Peugeot]] [[Grand Prix motor racing|Grand Prix]] engine which had been serviced in his shop by [[Fred Offenhauser]] in 1914, installing it in [[Jimmy Murphy (racing driver)|Jimmy Murphy]]'s [[Duesenberg]] and allowing him to win the 1922 edition of the race.<ref name="INDY5" /> Miller then created his own automobiles, which shared the 'Miller' designation, which, in turn, were powered by supercharged versions of his 2.0- and 1.5-liter (122 and 91 in<sup>3</sup>) engine single-seaters, winning four more races for the engine up to 1929 (two of them, 1926 and 1928, in Miller chassis).<ref name="INDY6">{{cite web|title=1926 Miller 91 FWD|url=http://www.supercars.net/cars/2458.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223173430/http://www.supercars.net/cars/2458.html|archive-date=2013-02-23|publisher=Supercars.net}}</ref> The engines powered another seven winners until 1938 (two of them, 1930 and 1932, in Miller chassis), then ran at first with stock-type motors before later being adjusted to the international 3.0-liter formula.

After purchasing the Speedway in 1927, [[Eddie Rickenbacker]] prohibited supercharging and increased the displacement limit to {{convert|366|cid|cc|abbr=on}}, while also re-introducing the riding mechanic.<ref name="Kettlewell, p.1015" />

In 1935, Miller's former employees, Fred Offenhauser and [[Leo Goossen]], had already achieved their first win with the soon-to-become famous 4-cylinder [[Offenhauser]] or "Offy" engine. This motor was forever connected with the Brickyard's history with a to-date record total of 27 wins, in both naturally aspirated and supercharged form, and winning a likewise record-holding 18 consecutive years between 1947 and 1964.<ref name="INDY7">{{cite news|title=All time Indianapolis 500 winners|newspaper=USA Today|url=http://sports.usatoday.com/2015/05/24/all-time-indianapolis-500-winners/|access-date=December 31, 2016|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930222129/https://sports.usatoday.com/2015/05/24/all-time-indianapolis-500-winners/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===European incursions and links to Formula One===
Meanwhile, European manufacturers, gone from the Indianapolis 500 for nearly two decades, made a brief return just before [[World War II]], with the competitive [[Maserati]] 8CTF allowing [[Wilbur Shaw]] to become the first driver to win consecutively at Indianapolis, in 1939 and 1940.<ref name="INDY12">{{cite web|title=Boyle Special|url=http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/passion/Boyle-special.html|publisher=Maserati|access-date=2010-05-27|archive-date=2010-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607103236/http://www.maserati.com/maserati/en/en/index/passion/Boyle-special.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{HAER|survey=IN-112|id=in0543|title=1938 Maserati 8.C.T.F., Indianapolis, Marion County, IN|photos=37|color=4|data=23|cap=2}}</ref> {{As of|2025}}, these remain the only Indy 500 victories obtained by fully Italian cars. With the 500 having been a part of the [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Drivers' Championship]] between 1950 and 1960,<ref name="INDY12A">{{cite web|title=1950 Indianapolis 500|url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1950/381/|publisher=Formula One Administration|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214024115/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1950/381/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="INDY13">{{cite web|title=Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Indiana, USA)|url=http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/318/329/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116054013/http://f1complete.com/content/view/318/329/|archive-date=2010-01-16|publisher=F1complete.com}}</ref> [[Ferrari]] made a discreet appearance at the 1952 event with [[Alberto Ascari]],<ref name="INDY14">{{cite web|title=1952 Indianapolis 500|url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1952/609/|publisher=Formula One Administration|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=December 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201112405/http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1952/609/|url-status=live}}</ref> but European entries were few and far between during those days. Among the Formula One drivers who did drive at the speedway was one-time world champion [[Italians|Italian]] [[Giuseppe Farina]], who failed to qualify for the 1956 and 1957 races, and five-time world champion [[Argentinians|Argentinian]] [[Juan Manuel Fangio]], who failed to qualify for the 1958 race.

It was not until the Indianapolis 500 was removed from the World Championship calendar that European entries made their return. In 1963, technical innovator [[Colin Chapman]] brought his [[Team Lotus]] to Indianapolis for the first time, attracted by the large monetary prizes, far bigger than the usual at a European event. Racing a mid-engined car, [[Scotland|Scotsman]] [[Jim Clark]] was second in his first attempt in 1963,<ref name="INDY16">{{cite news|title=Jim Clark, the Scottish driver who became an American idol|newspaper=The Scotsman|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/jimclarkrally/Jim-Clark-the-Scottish-driver.3953077.jp|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=March 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323054436/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/jimclarkrally/Jim-Clark-the-Scottish-driver.3953077.jp|url-status=live}}</ref> dominated in 1964 until suffering suspension failure on lap 47, and completely dominated the race in 1965, a victory which also interrupted the success of the Offy, and giving the 4.2-liter [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] V8 its first success at the race.<ref name="INDY17">{{cite web|title=RACING HISTORY: The Great Races: 1965 Indianapolis 500|url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2001/05/21/021379.html|publisher=The Auto Channel|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801211306/http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2001/05/21/021379.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, 1966, saw another British win, this time [[Graham Hill]] in a [[Lola Cars|Lola]]-[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]].<ref name="INDY18">{{cite web|title=50th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday, May 30, 1966|url=http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1966|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713024931/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1966|archive-date=July 13, 2011|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}}</ref>

The Offenhauser engine was also paired with a European maker, [[McLaren]], obtaining three wins for the chassis, one with the [[Roger Penske|Penske]] team in 1972 with driver [[Mark Donohue]],<ref name="INDY19">{{cite web|title=56th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday, May 27, 1972|url=http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1972|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025045/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1972|archive-date=July 13, 2011|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}}</ref> and two for the McLaren works team in 1974<ref name="INDY20">{{cite web|title=58th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, May 26, 1974|url=http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1974|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025050/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1974|archive-date=July 13, 2011|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}}</ref> and 1976 with [[Johnny Rutherford]].<ref name="INDY21">{{cite web|title=60th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, May 30, 1976|url=http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1976|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025055/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1976|archive-date=July 13, 2011|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}}</ref> This was also the last time the Offy would win a race, its competitiveness steadily decreasing until its final appearance in 1983. American drivers continued to fill the majority of entries at the Brickyard in the following years, but European technology had taken over. Starting in 1978, most chassis and engines were European, with the only American-based chassis to win during the CART era being the Wildcat and [[Galmer]]<ref name="INDY22">{{cite web|title=76th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, May 24, 1992|url=http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1992|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025102/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=1992|archive-date=July 13, 2011|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway}}</ref> (which was technically built in [[Bicester]], England) in 1982 and 1992, respectively. Ford and [[Chevrolet]] engines were built in the UK by [[Cosworth]] and [[Ilmor]], respectively.

As of 2025, the most recent active Formula One driver to have entered the 500 is [[Fernando Alonso]], who drove in the [[2017 Indianapolis 500|2017]] race. Alonso was the first Formula One driver to enter the 500 while competing in F1 since [[Teo Fabi]] in [[1984 Indianapolis 500|1984]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2017 |title=Alonso extends long line of F1 greats competing in Indy 500 |url=https://www.indycar.com/news/2017/04/04-12-f1-indy-drivers-history |access-date=March 29, 2023 |website=indycar.com}}</ref>

===World Series===
[[File:Fittipaldi indy.jpg|thumb|left|[[Emerson Fittipaldi]] driving the [[Penske PC-23]] at the [[1994 Indianapolis 500|1994]] event]]

After foreign cars became the norm, foreign drivers began competing in the Indianapolis 500 regularly, choosing the United States as their primary base for their motor racing activities. [[Brazilians|Brazilian]] [[Emerson Fittipaldi]], [[Italian people|Italian]] [[Teo Fabi]], and [[Colombian people|Colombian]] [[Roberto Guerrero]] were able to obtain good outings in the 1980s, as was [[Dutch people|Dutchman]] [[Arie Luyendyk]]. In 1993, [[1992 Formula One World Championship|reigning]] [[Formula One]] World Champion [[Nigel Mansell]] shocked the racing world by leaving Formula One for [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]]. While he came in only third in [[1993 Indianapolis 500|the 500]], he won the [[1993 PPG Indy Car World Series|1993 CART championship]].<ref name="INDY23">{{cite web|title=Nigel Mansell|url=http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/43/|publisher=Formula One Administration|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311070430/http://www.formula1.com/teams_and_drivers/hall_of_fame/43/|url-status=live}}</ref> Foreign-born drivers became a regular fixture of Indianapolis in the years to follow. Despite the increase in foreign drivers commonly being associated with the CART era, three of the first six [[List of Indianapolis 500 winners|Indianapolis 500 winners]] were non-American drivers.

===Centennial Era===
[[File:Martin Auto Museum-1963 Chrysler 300-Pace Setter-2.jpg|250px|thumb|The [[Chrysler 300 letter series#1963 300J|Chrysler 300]] pace setter used in [[1963 Indianapolis 500|1963]] in the 47th running of the Indianapolis 500]]
In 2009, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began a three-year-long "Centennial Era" to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the track (1909), and the 100th anniversary of the [[1911 Indianapolis 500|first Indy 500]] (1911).<ref name="INDY11">{{cite web|title=Indianapolis Motor Speedway Centennial Era, 2009–2011|url=http://www.in.gov/visitindiana/homepageed2.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528143939/http://in.gov/visitindiana/homepageed2.aspx|archive-date=2010-05-28|publisher=Indiana Office of Tourism Development}}</ref> As a gesture to the nostalgic ''Centennial Era'' celebration (2009–2011), tickets for the [[2009 Indianapolis 500|2009 race]] donned the moniker "93rd 500 Mile International Sweepstakes".<ref>{{cite web |title=Dixon Unveils Ticket For 93rd Indianapolis 500 In Indiana Statehouse |url=http://www.indy500.com/news/13296/Dixon_Unveils_Ticket_For_93rd_Indianapolis_500_In_Indiana_Statehouse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409115250/http://www.indy500.com/news/13296/Dixon_Unveils_Ticket_For_93rd_Indianapolis_500_In_Indiana_Statehouse |archive-date=April 9, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2016 |website=[[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] }}</ref> It is the first time since 1980 that the "Sweepstakes" title has been used. In May 2009, the ordinal (93rd) was used very sparingly, and for the first time since 1981, was not identified on the annual logo. Instead, in most instances in print, television, and radio, the race was referred to as the "2009 Indianapolis 500". Since the race was not held during the United States' participation in the two World Wars (1917–1918, 1942–1945), the advertised Centennial Era occurred during the 93rd to 95th runnings. To avoid confusion between the 100th anniversary, and the actual number of times the race has been run, references to the ordinal during the ''Centennial Era'' were curtailed.

In the [[2014 Indianapolis 500|2014]] meeting, the road course became part of the race meeting for the first time. The [[GMR Grand Prix]] road course event, and the three upper tiers of [[Road to Indy]], participated in road course events at the Speedway during the first week of activities.

Six years later, in [[2016 Indianapolis 500|2016]], the race celebrated its 100th running with about 350,000 in attendance.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Jenny |last2=Tuohy |first2=John |date=May 25, 2016 |title=Indy 500: What you need to know |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/05/25/what-you-need-know-before-you-head-indy-500/84900670/ |access-date=July 7, 2021 |website=IndyStar |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615193931/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/05/25/what-you-need-know-before-you-head-indy-500/84900670/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Four local actors were hired to portray the Founding Four of James Allison, Carl Fisher, Frank Wheeler, and Arthur Newby during multiple Centennial Era events and the 100th race. Harold Hefner (Allison), Tom Harrison (Fisher), Jeff Angel (Wheeler), and Matthew Allen (Newby).<ref>{{cite web |last=Abernathy |first=April |date=May 28, 2011 |title=From Frankton to Founding Four |url=https://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/from-frankton-to-founding-four/article_1a1c907f-6354-5dcf-9475-3aaabbc7da5b.html |access-date=July 7, 2021 |work=The Herald Bulletin}}</ref>

In 2020, the race was delayed for the first time from its usual Memorial Day running to August due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. There was no audience in attendance, so as to comply with pandemic guidelines. The road course race was moved to the NASCAR weekend in July (which led to an IndyCar road course race added to the [[2021 Verizon 200|NASCAR weekend permanently in 2021]]), and the support races on the road course moved to its own September weekend. As races were cancelled because of local restrictions, the Speedway added two more road course races in October as part of the [[Intercontinental GT Challenge]] meeting, where attendance was capped to 10,000 per event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Nate |date=July 18, 2020 |title=Famed Indianapolis 500 race will take place in August |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2020/07/18/when-is-indy-500-nascar-brickyard/ |access-date=July 7, 2021 |work=NBC Sports}}</ref>

In 2024, the race was delayed for over four hours due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in the area.<ref name="2024indy">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/indy-500-delayed-as-severe-weather-forces-fans-to-leave-indianapolis-motor-speedway |title=Indy 500 delayed as severe weather forces fans to leave Indianapolis Motor Speedway |department=Nation |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |publisher=[[PBS]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=2024-05-26 |access-date=2024-05-26 |first=Dave |last=Skretta |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526223135/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/indy-500-delayed-as-severe-weather-forces-fans-to-leave-indianapolis-motor-speedway |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Race name===
The race was originally advertised as the "International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race"<ref name="INDY3" /> from 1911 to 1916. However, from its inception, the race has been widely known as the Indianapolis 500 or, more simply "the 500", as for many years, it was the only noteworthy auto race of such distance. In 1919, the race was referred to as the "Liberty Sweepstakes" following [[World War I|WWI]].<ref name="INDY8">{{cite news|date=May 6, 1919|title=Limit Auto Race Entries: Only Thirty-Three Drivers to Start in Indianapolis Sweepstakes|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1919/05/06/archives/limit-auto-race-entries-only-thirtythree-drivers-to-start-in.html|access-date=2015-05-28|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726013453/https://www.nytimes.com/1919/05/06/archives/limit-auto-race-entries-only-thirtythree-drivers-to-start-in.html|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1920 to 1980, the race officially reverted to the "International Sweepstakes" moniker, as printed on the tickets and other paraphernalia, with slight variations over the years.

Following [[World War II|WWII]], the race was commonly recognized as "The 500", "The 500-Mile Race", "Indianapolis 500-Mile Race", "Indianapolis 500", or the simple form "Indy 500". Usually the [[Ordinal numeral|ordinal]] (e.g. "50th") preceded it. Often the race was also advertised on the radio as the "Annual Memorial Day race", or similar variations. By the late 20th century, the term "Indy 500" had slowly emerged as the most common and most popularly used moniker. As such, since 2016, the official race logo has used the contemporary and colloquial term "Indy 500".

For the [[1981 Indianapolis 500|1981 race]], the name "65th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race" was officially adopted, with all references as the "International Sweepstakes" dropped. Since 1981, the race has been formally advertised in this fashion, complete with a unique annual logo with the ordinal almost always included. Around that same time, in the wake of the [[1979 Indianapolis 500|1979]] entry controversy, and the formation of [[Champ Car|CART]], the race changed to an invitational event, rather than an [[Open (sport)|Open]], rendering the "[[sweepstakes]]" description inappropriate.

For nearly a century, the race eschewed any sort of [[naming rights]] or [[Sponsor (commercial)|title sponsor]], a move, though uncommon in the modern sports world, that was well received by fans. This tradition finally ended in [[2016 Indianapolis 500|2016]] when a presenting sponsor, PennGrade, was added for the first time. In the 21st century, the facility has also slowly added sponsorship ads on the retaining walls and infield grass. The ESPN-produced ABC telecast of the event did not recognize this sponsorship and instead had [[Firestone Tires]] as its presenting sponsorship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABC's 54th Indianapolis 500 Telecast Bringing Consecutive Streak to Close|url=https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/05/abcs-54th-indianapolis-500-telecast-bringing-consecutive-streak-to-close/|access-date=2018-05-28|website=ESPN MediaZone|date=23 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528134255/https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/05/abcs-54th-indianapolis-500-telecast-bringing-consecutive-streak-to-close/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Borg-Warner Trophy]], introduced in 1936,<ref name="INDY9">{{cite web|title=The Borg-Warner Trophy|url=http://www.indymotorspeedway.com/borg.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329101035/http://www.indymotorspeedway.com/borg.htm|archive-date=2010-03-29|publisher=IndySpeedway.com}}</ref> proclaims the event as the "Indianapolis 500-Mile Race", with no reference at all to the name "International Sweepstakes".

===Winners===
:''See: [[List of Indianapolis 500 winners]]''

==Race specifics==
[[File:Indianapolis-motor-speedway-1848561.jpg|thumb|The [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]]]]

The Indianapolis 500 is held annually at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]], a {{convert|2.5|mi|0|adj=mid}} [[Oval track racing|oval circuit]]. The track is a rounded rectangle, with four distinct turns of identical dimensions, connected by four straightaways (two long straightaways and two "short chutes"). [[Indianapolis 500 traditions|Traditionally]], the field consists of 33 starters, aligned in a starting grid of eleven rows of three cars apiece. Drivers race 200 laps, counter-clockwise around the circuit, for a distance of {{convert|500|mi}}. Since its inception in [[1911 Indianapolis 500|1911]], the race has always been scheduled on or around [[Memorial Day]]. Since [[1974 Indianapolis 500|1974]], the race has been specifically scheduled for the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is widely considered one of the most important days on the motorsports calendar, as it is the day of the Indianapolis 500, the [[Coca-Cola 600]] – and in numerous cases, the [[Monaco Grand Prix]]. Practice and time trials are held in the two weeks leading up to the race, while miscellaneous preliminary testing and rookie orientation is held as early as April.

The race is the most prestigious event of the [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] calendar, and one of the oldest and [[Triple Crown of Motorsport|most important]] automobile races. It has been reported to be the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Likewise, the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] itself is regarded as the world's [[List of sports venues by capacity|largest sporting facility]] in terms of capacity.<ref>{{cite web |last=Indianapolis Motor Speedway |date=August 3, 2018 |title=USA Today Readers Name Indianapolis 500 As World's Best Motorsports Race In Poll |url=https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2018/08/03/usa-today-readers-name-indy-500-worlds-best-motorsports-race-2018 |website=IndianapolisMotorSpeedway}}</ref> The total purse exceeded [[United States dollar|$]]13 million in [[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]], with over $2.5 million awarded to the winner, making it one of the richest cash prize funds in sports.

Similar to [[NASCAR]]'s [[Daytona 500]], the Indianapolis 500 is typically held early in the [[IndyCar Series]] season. That is unique to most sports where major events are usually at the end of the respective season. Currently, the Indy 500 is the sixth event of the 17-race IndyCar schedule. From the 1970s to the 1990s, Indianapolis was often the second or third race of the season, and as late as the 1950s, it was sometimes the first championship event of the year. Due to the high prestige of the Indianapolis 500—rivaling or even surpassing the season championship—it is not uncommon for some teams and drivers to focus heavily on preparing for that race during the early part of the season, and not focus fully on the championship battle until after Indy.

Due to safety issues such as [[aquaplaning]], the race is not held in wet conditions. In the event of a [[Rainout (sports)|rain delay]], the race will be postponed until rain showers cease, and the track is sufficiently dried. If rain falls during the race itself, officials will halt the race (red flag) and await safe conditions. The officials can end the race and declare the results official if more than half of the scheduled distance (i.e., 101 laps) has been completed. If less than half the distance has been completed, the race must be resumed and achieve at least the 101-lap distance in order to be official. A primary limiting factor is available daylight, as the track does not have lighting. If the race is halted and cannot be resumed before sunset, the resumption will be scheduled for the next possible day.

The Indianapolis 500, as well as other IndyCar Series races, does not utilize the [[green–white–checker finish]] in case of a late-race yellow. The race can be (and has at times) finished under caution. However, officials may call for a late-race red flag (in lieu of a lengthy yellow) to provide an opportunity for a green-flag finish, an option that was used in [[2014 Indianapolis 500|2014]], [[2019 Indianapolis 500|2019]], [[2022 Indianapolis 500|2022]], and [[2023 Indianapolis 500|2023]]. The circuit lacks lights, therefore lateness can become a factor in the cases of lengthy delays.

=== Car ===
The event is contested by [[American Championship car racing|"Indy cars"]], a [[Formula racing|formula]] of [[Professional sports|professional]]-level, single-seat, open [[cockpit]], [[Open-wheel car|open-wheel]], purpose-built race cars. As of [[2020 IndyCar Series season|2020]], all entrants utilize 2.2[[Litre|L]] [[V6 engine|V6]], twin-[[Turbocharger|turbocharged]] engines, tuned to produce a range of {{convert|550|-|750|hp}}. [[Chevrolet]] and [[Honda Performance Development|Honda]] are the current engine manufacturers involved in the sport. [[Dallara]] is at present the sole chassis supplier to the series. [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]], which has a deep history in the sport, dating back to the first 500, is currently the exclusive tire provider.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 NTT IndyCar Series Car Specifications |url=https://www.indycar.com/Fan-Info/INDYCAR-101/The-Car-Dallara/IndyCar-Series-Chassis-Specifications |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=21 March 2021 |website=[[IndyCar]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725080159/https://www.indycar.com/Fan-Info/INDYCAR-101/The-Car-Dallara/IndyCar-Series-Chassis-Specifications }}</ref>

=== Field ===
The traditional 33-car starting field at Indianapolis is larger than the fields at the other IndyCar races. The field at Indy typically consists of all of the full-time IndyCar Series entries (roughly 20–22 cars), along with roughly 10–15 part-time or "Indy-only" entries. The "Indy-only" entries, also known as "One-offs", may be an extra car added to an existing full-time team, or a part-time team altogether that does not enter any of the other races, or enters only a few selected races. The "Indy-only" drivers may come from a wide range of pedigrees but are usually experienced Indy car competitors who either lack a full-time ride, are former full-time drivers who have elected to drop down to part-time status, or occasional one-off drivers from other racing disciplines. It is not uncommon for some drivers (particularly former Indy 500 winners) to quit full-time driving during the season, but race solely at Indy for numerous years afterward before entering full retirement.

===Technical regulations===
[[File:PenskePC23.jpg|thumb|[[Penske PC-23]] [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]], [[1994 Indianapolis 500|1994]] winning car]]

Technical specifications for the Indianapolis 500 are currently written by [[IndyCar]]. Rules are generally the same as every other IndyCar race. In the past, particularly during the era in which USAC sanctioned the Indy 500 (but CART sanctioned the other Indy car races), rules at Indy slightly differed at times. The result, for example, would be a particular chassis or engine configuration being legal at Indy, but not so at the CART-sanctioned events. This was rather commonplace in the 1980s and early 1990s, when "stock-block" engines (namely the V-6 Buick) were allotted an increased level of turbocharger boost by USAC at Indy, compared to the purpose-built V-8 quad-cam engines. While the "stock block" engines were technically legal in CART competition, they were not given the increased boost advantage, which effectively rendered them uncompetitive, and precluded their use by teams. The most famous manifestation of the USAC rules disparity was the [[Ilmor]]-built [[Ilmor#Racing in the USA|Mercedes-Benz 500I]] engine fielded by [[Roger Penske]] in [[1994 Indianapolis 500|1994]].<ref name="INDY31">{{cite news|title=The Penske-Mercedes PC23-500I|publisher=forix.autosport.com|url=http://forix.autosport.com/8w/penske-mercedes-pc23.html|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922091434/http://forix.autosport.com/8w/penske-mercedes-pc23.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Teams may enter up to two machines under a given car number—the "primary" car and a "backup" car. The backup car is identified by the letter "T". For example, the two cars for the #2 team would be numbered #2 and #2T. Both cars may be practiced during the month, but due to engine lease rules, they must share the same engine. It is not uncommon for teams to prefer their backup car, if it is deemed faster, or for other strategic reasons. Additionally, as the month wears on, a "T car" may be split off into a separate entry, and reassigned a new number, or be sold to another team.

All cars must pass a rigorous technical inspection before receiving a sticker signifying that the car is eligible to practice. Various criteria include minimum weight, dimensions, and approved parts, particularly safety equipment. Before and after qualification attempts, cars must pass another inspection. The pre-qualifying inspection is focused on safety aspects and is done on the pit lane qualifying queue. It is relatively brief, due to the time constraints of the qualifying procedure. The post-qualifying inspection is much more stringent and lengthy, taking place in the garage area. It is to detect deviations from the performance guidelines set forth by the league, and cars can and have been fined or outright disqualified if they fail inspection.

During the race, work on the car is permitted, but it is usually limited to routine pit stop work (changing tires and refueling) and minor adjustments (wing angles, etc.) Pit stop activity is rigorously rehearsed by the crews and in modern times, routine pit stops are regularly completed in under ten seconds. Other more involved work, such as replacing damaged bodywork (wings, nose cones, etc.), can also be completed quickly by the crews. More lengthy repairs are allowed, and since 1998 teams are permitted to return to the garage area to make heavy repairs. However, there are limitations to the extent of repair work allowed and the practicality of such work. Teams are not allowed to change engines, and since 1933<ref>{{cite episode|series=The Talk of Gasoline Alley|series-link=Donald Davidson (historian)|station=[[WFNI]]|airdate=August 5, 2020}}</ref> a rule has been in place where teams are not allowed to add [[Motor oil|oil]] once the race has begun. In addition, the officials designate a certain lap after which off-track cars being serviced/repaired are no longer permitted to return to the race.

===Qualifying procedure===
{{Further|List of Indianapolis 500 pole-sitters}}
[[File:Dixon Pole 20080510.jpg|thumb|[[Scott Dixon]] making his pole-winning qualification run for the [[2008 Indianapolis 500]]]]

Throughout the years, the race has used several different qualifying procedures. The current four-lap (ten-mile) qualifying distance was first introduced in 1920 and has been used every year since 1939.<ref name="Evolved">Mittman, Dick. [http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=3569 Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Has Evolved Over The Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306064131/http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=3569 |date=2008-03-06 }}, Indy500.com, September 22, 2004</ref>

Presently, qualifying occurs on over two days. On Day 1, positions 13–30 (or 13–33 if there are only 33 entries) have their position set with all other positions set on Day 2. Following Fast Friday practice, all cars are entered into a blind draw for the qualifying order.

*Saturday: All entries are guaranteed at least one attempt to qualify and can make additional attempts if time permits. At the end of the session, the fastest twelve drivers advance to a "shootout" session held on the next day to determine pole position and the first four rows of the grid. As mentioned above, drivers who qualify 10th–30th have their spots locked in and will not re-qualify. Drivers who qualify 31st and lower advance to a separate "shootout" session also held on the next day to determine the final three spots on the grid. For re-attempts, there are two lanes: Lane 2 is known as the "no risk lane" and drivers can keep their previous time if their second (or subsequent) run is slower. Lane 1 is known as the "priority lane", and no cars from lane 2 are allowed on track unless lane 1 is empty. However, to re-qualify in lane 1 you must withdraw any previous times, regardless if the attempt is slower than a previous one.
*Sunday: The drivers who qualified 31st and lower from Saturday have their original times erased. There is one 75 minute session. Each driver gets one guaranteed attempt and can make additional attempts if time permits. Drivers who qualify 31st–33rd have their positions locked in. Drivers who finish 34th and lower fail to qualify. The fastest twelve drivers from Saturday take part in a second round of qualifying, with the top six advancing to the Firestone Fast Six. The qualifying order is based on the times from Saturday's session from slowest to fastest. Once again, the times from Saturday are erased and each driver is given only one attempt, locking in positions 7–12. Following a cool down period, including all cars taking slow cool down laps on track behind the pace/safety car, the remaining six drivers get one final attempt. The fastest driver wins the highly coveted pole position and the remaining five drivers have their positions locked in based on their times.

For each attempt, cars are allowed two warm-up laps. At that time, a member of the team is stationed at the north end of the main stretch. He or she must wave a green flag, signaling an attempt, or else the car will be waved off. The attempt can be waved off during any of the four laps by the team, driver, or race officials. (The series will wave off the run if it is obvious the run will not be fast enough to qualify and it is getting late in the day.) If an attempt is waved off after the run starts, the attempt counts and the previous time is still forfeited unless race officials waved off the attempt because of weather. Weather can and often does affect qualifying and can result in last-minute format changes.

==Race sanctioning==
===AAA and USAC===
[[File:The Spoils.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Borg-Warner Trophy]] presented to Indy 500 winners in victory lane, otherwise on permanent display at the Hall of Fame Museum]]

From 1911 to 1955, the race was organized under the auspices of the [[American Automobile Association|AAA]] [[AAA Contest Board|Contest Board]]. Following the [[1955 Le Mans disaster]], AAA dissolved the Contest Board to concentrate on its membership program aimed at the general motoring public. Speedway owner [[Tony Hulman]] founded [[United States Auto Club|USAC]] in 1956, which took over sanctioning of the race and the sport of [[American Championship Car Racing|Championship racing]].<ref name="INDY24">{{cite web
|publisher=world-sprintcar-guide.com
|url=http://www.world-sprintcar-guide.com/usac-national-sprint-car-series.html
|title=USAC National Sprint Car Series
|access-date=2010-05-27
|archive-date=2011-07-18
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718113346/http://www.world-sprintcar-guide.com/usac-national-sprint-car-series.html
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

From 1950 to 1960, the Indianapolis 500 also counted toward the [[FIA]]'s [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|World Championship of Drivers]] (now synonymous with [[Formula One]]), although few drivers participated in the other races of that series. Italian driver [[Alberto Ascari]] was the only European-based driver to race in the 500 during its World Championship years. His appearance in [[1952 Indianapolis 500|1952]] in a [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] was also the only time a Ferrari has ever appeared in the race. [[Juan Manuel Fangio]] practiced at the track in [[1958 Indianapolis 500|1958]] but declined an offer to race.

The Indianapolis 500 itself, however, remained under the sanctioning control of USAC. It became the lone top-level race the body still sanctioned, as it ultimately dropped all other Indy car races (as well as their [[USAC Stock Car|stock car division]]) to concentrate on [[Sprint car racing|sprints]] and [[Midget car racing|midgets]]. For the next three years, the race was not officially recognized on the CART calendar, but the CART teams and drivers comprised the field. By 1983, an agreement was made for the USAC-sanctioned Indy 500 to be recognized on the [[Champ Car|CART]] calendar and the race awarded points towards the CART championship.

Despite the CART/USAC divide, from 1983 to 1995 the race was run in relative harmony. CART and USAC occasionally quarreled over relatively minor technical regulations but utilized the same machines and the CART-based teams and driver comprised the bulk of the Indy 500 entries each year.

===IndyCar Series===
[[File:2007 Indianapolis 500 - Starting field formation before start.jpg|thumb|left|The starting field of the [[2007 Indianapolis 500]] in formation before the start]]

In 1994, Speedway owner [[Tony George]] announced plans for a new series, to be called the [[Indy Racing League]], with Indy 500 as its centerpiece.<ref name="INDY26">{{cite web
 |publisher   = IndyStar.com
 |url         = http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/people/h/hulman_family/hulman_anton.html
 |title       = The Hulman Family, Owners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1945
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120710181822/http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/people/h/hulman_family/hulman_anton.html
 |archive-date = 2012-07-10
}}</ref> George announced that he intended to reverse the tide of dramatic cost increases, the decreasing number of [[oval track racing|ovals]] in the CART series, and to allow for more opportunity for drivers from USAC sprint-car ranks. Detractors accused George of using the 500 as leverage to allow the Speedway to gain complete control of the sport of [[American Championship Car Racing|open-wheel racing]] in the United States.

In response to CART's 1996 schedule that put several races in direct conflict with the first Indy Racing League events, George announced that 25 of the 33 starting positions at the [[1996 Indianapolis 500|1996 Indy 500]] would be reserved for the top 25 cars in IRL points standings. This effectively left eight starting positions open to the CART-regulars that chose not to participate in the IRL races and would be the first time that not all 33 spots were open for qualification in the history of the race. CART refused to compromise on the schedule conflicts, skipped the IRL races required to accumulate the qualifying points, [[boycott]]ed the race,<ref name="INDY27">{{cite news
|work=USA Today
|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]
|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2008-04-16-irl-champcar_N.htm
|title=Indy car racing on track with new era, new issues
|first=Nate
|last=Ryan
|date=April 17, 2008
|access-date=September 1, 2017
|archive-date=January 11, 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111141528/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2008-04-16-irl-champcar_N.htm
|url-status=live
}}</ref> and staged a competing event, the [[1996 U.S. 500|U.S. 500]], on the same day at [[Michigan International Speedway|Michigan]]. Veteran [[Buddy Lazier]] won a competitive but crash-filled [[1996 Indianapolis 500|1996 Indy 500]]. Two CART teams, Walker Racing and Galles Racing, competed in the Indianapolis 500 to fulfill sponsor obligations and were welcomed without incident. The U.S. 500, meanwhile was marred by a crash on the pace laps that forced ten teams to use backup cars.

[[File:Helio castroneves (51222190794).jpg|thumb|[[Hélio Castroneves]], winner in 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2021]]

For 1997, new rules for less expensive cars and "production-based" engines were put into place. The move made it such that the IRL utilized different and incompatible equipment from CART; no CART-based teams would enter the Indy 500 for the next three years. CART would run a 300-mile race at [[Gateway Motorsports Park|Gateway International Raceway]] on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend from 1997 to 1999 to avoid a conflict.

In 2000, [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Target Chip Ganassi Racing]], still a CART-mainstay, decided to compete at Indianapolis with drivers [[Jimmy Vasser]] and [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]. On race day, Montoya dominated the event, leading 167 of the 200 laps to victory.<ref name="INDY28">{{cite web
 |publisher   = Indianapolis Motor Speedway
 |url         = http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=2000
 |title       = 84th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, May 28, 2000
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025107/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=2000
 |archive-date = July 13, 2011
}}</ref> In 2001, [[Penske Racing]] returned and won the race with driver [[Hélio Castroneves]].<ref name="INDY28A">{{cite web
 |publisher   = Indianapolis Motor Speedway
 |url         = http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=2001
 |title       = 85th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, May 27, 2001
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://archive.today/20130126011143/http://alpha.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/boxscore/?year=2001
 |archive-date = January 26, 2013
}}</ref> Penske and Castroneves repeated with a win in 2002.

By 2003, [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Ganassi]], [[Penske Racing|Penske]] and [[Andretti Green Racing|Andretti Green]] defected to the IRL permanently. CART went bankrupt later in the year, and its rights and infrastructure were purchased by remaining car owners, and it became the [[Champ Car|Champ Car World Series]]. The two series continued to operate separately through 2007. In early 2008, the two series were unified to create a single open-wheel championship after a 12-year split being run under Indy Racing League/IMS control—known as the [[IndyCar Series]].<ref name="INDY29">{{cite web
|publisher=ESPN
|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?seriesId=1&id=3253353
|title=IRL, Champ Car entities sign merger deal
|date=19 February 2008
|access-date=July 21, 2024
|archive-date=November 30, 2023
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130132851/https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?seriesId=1&id=3253353
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

==NASCAR and the 500==
In the 1960s and early 1970s, the Indy 500 and the [[Coca-Cola 600|World 600]] (now known as the Coca-Cola 600) at [[Charlotte Motor Speedway]] were held on different days of the week. A handful of [[NASCAR]] regulars participated in both events in the same year, including [[Bobby Allison]], [[Donnie Allison]], [[Cale Yarborough]], and [[Lee Roy Yarbrough]]. From 1974 to 1992, the two events were scheduled for the same day and same starting time, making participation in both impossible. A few stock car drivers during that time, namely [[Neil Bonnett]] in 1979, nevertheless still attempted to qualify at Indy, even if that meant skipping Charlotte altogether.

==="Double Duty"===
{{further|Double Duty}}
From 1994 to 2014,<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurt Busch Won't Attempt Memorial Day Double|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/3/23/kurt-busch-double-indianapolis-500-coca-cola-600.html|website=NASCAR.com|access-date=2016-07-05|archive-date=2016-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628193911/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/3/23/kurt-busch-double-indianapolis-500-coca-cola-600.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> several [[NASCAR]] drivers were able to compete in both the Indy 500 and the [[Coca-Cola 600]] at [[Charlotte Motor Speedway|Charlotte]] on the same day. Since 1993, the Coca-Cola 600 has been scheduled in the evening the same day as the Indy 500. The effort has been known as [[Double Duty (auto racing)|"Double Duty"]].

After the Indy 500, drivers would catch a helicopter directly from the Speedway to [[Indianapolis International Airport]]. From there they would fly to [[Concord Regional Airport]], and ride a helicopter to the NASCAR race. [[John Andretti]], [[Tony Stewart]], and [[Robby Gordon]] attempted the feat, with [[Kyle Larson]] being the latest in 2024 and 2025. In 2001, [[Tony Stewart]] became the first and to date only driver to complete the full race distance (1,100 miles) in both races on the same day.<ref name="INDY30">{{cite web
|publisher=NASCAR
|url=http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/opinion/05/21/retro.racing.maumann.indy.charlotte.double/index.html
|title=Winning Charlotte, Indy proving an impossible feat
|access-date=2010-05-27
|archive-date=2009-09-24
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924074122/http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/opinion/05/21/retro.racing.maumann.indy.charlotte.double/index.html
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>

For 2005, the start of Indianapolis was pushed back to 1 p.m. [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] to improve television ratings. This significantly closed the window for a driver to be able to race both events on the same day. (The race's original starting time had been set at 11 a.m. EST to 12 noon EDT—because in 1911, race promoters estimated it would take six hours to complete the event, and they did not want the race to finish too close to dinnertime. Nowadays, the race is routinely completed in under three-and-a-half hours.)

Two drivers, [[Mario Andretti]] and [[A. J. Foyt]], have won the Indianapolis 500 and the [[Daytona 500]]. Foyt also won the [[24 Hours of Daytona]] and [[12 Hours of Sebring]], America's premier endurance races, as well as the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]]. Foyt won Le Mans in 1967, about one month after winning his third Indy 500. Andretti won the {{f1|1978}} Formula One World Championship and is a three-time Sebring winner (he also won the 6-hour version of Daytona). Indianapolis 500 winner [[Johnny Rutherford]] once won one of the [[Gatorade Duel|Daytona 500 qualifying races]]. In 2010, [[Chip Ganassi]] became the first car owner to win the Daytona and Indianapolis 500s in the same year, with [[Jamie McMurray]] winning the Daytona 500 and [[Dario Franchitti]] winning the Indianapolis 500.

In 2010, [[Bruton Smith]] (owner of [[Speedway Motorsports, Inc.]]), offered $20 million to any driver, IndyCar or NASCAR, who can win both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day starting in 2011, a feat that had never been accomplished. For 2011, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway moved the start time of the Indy 500 back to 12:15 PM EDT (prior to 2005, the engines started at 10:52 AM EST; under the modern schedule, engines start around 12:05 PM for a start around 12:15 PM), which re-opened the window for travel. [[Brad Keselowski]] suggested that he would consider answering the challenge in 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Autoweek|url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130524/nascar01/130529855|title=Gunning for first NASCAR Sprint Cup win of the year in the Coca-Cola 600: Brad Keselowski's Autoweek blog|access-date=2013-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305082344/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130524/nascar01/130529855|archive-date=2014-03-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was announced on March 4, 2014, that [[Kurt Busch]] would attempt to qualify for the [[2014 Indianapolis 500]], driving a fifth car for the [[Andretti Autosport]] team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2014/03/04/kurt-busch-indianapolis-500-coca-cola-600-double/6008475/|title=Kurt Busch to attempt Indianapolis 500, Coke 600 'double'|last=Gluck|first=Jeff|date=March 4, 2014|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=2014-03-04|location=McLean, VA|archive-date=March 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305032058/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2014/03/04/kurt-busch-indianapolis-500-coca-cola-600-double/6008475/|url-status=live}}</ref> Busch completed all 500 miles at Indy to finish sixth but dropped out of the 600 with a blown engine just past the 400-mile mark.

For 2019, NBC Sports and the Speedway changed the start time. The engines now start at 12:38 PM for a start time of 12:45 PM.

In 2024, [[Kyle Larson]] attempted, but could not complete, the double racing with [[Arrow McLaren]] in the 500 and intending to drive with [[Hendrick Motorsports]] in the 600. Kyle Larson finished 18th in the Indianapolis 500 and arrived part way through the Coke Zero 600 due to a four-hour rain delay at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 600 was red flagged for a thunderstorm shortly after Larson arrived at the track and was not restarted, with Larson not being able to participate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-28 |title=As weather plagued the Indy 500 and Coke 600, Kyle Larson learned how tricky double duty can be |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/as-weather-plagued-the-indy-500-and-coke-600-kyle-larson-learned-how-tricky-double-duty-can-be-135959198.html |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> Larson attempted again in 2025 but crashed out of both races, completing only 595 of the planned 1100 miles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2025/05/22/breaking-down-kyle-larsons-quest-to-cover-1100-miles-in-one-day-part-ii/ | title=Breaking down Kyle Larson's quest to cover 1,100 miles in one day, Part 2 | date=May 22, 2025 }}</ref> For his 2025 attempt, the 600 was considered the priority and due to rain delays at Indianapolis, Larson would have had to leave the race with about 40 laps to go had he not already been out of the race.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2025/05/25/kyle-larson-indy-500-coca-cola-600-double/83817674007/ | title=Kyle Larson and the Double: Crashes end Larson's race in Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 | website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref> Larson won the [[2025 NASCAR Cup Series]] championship, becoming the first driver to start that year's Indianapolis 500 and win the Cup Series title.

==Culture==
[[File:Indiana quarter, reverse side, 2002.jpg|thumb|130px|An IndyCar on the Indiana state quarter]]

===Memorabilia===
Many people promote and share information about the Indianapolis 500 and its memorabilia collecting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ni500cc.com/|title=National Indy 500 Collector Club|access-date=1 May 2016|archive-date=February 8, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208182601/http://www.ni500cc.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The National Indy 500 Collectors Club is an independent active organization that has been dedicated to supporting such activities. The organization was established January 1, 1985, in Indianapolis by its founder John Blazier and includes an experienced membership available for discussion and advice on Indy 500 memorabilia trading and Indy 500 questions in general.

===Entertainment===
{{main|Indianapolis 500 in film and media}}
The Indianapolis 500 has been the subject of several films and has been referenced many times in television, movies, and other media.

===Milk===

[[File:2011 Indy 500 Winner - Dan Wheldon.jpg|thumb|[[2011 Indianapolis 500|2011]] winner [[Dan Wheldon]] holding a bottle of milk]]
[[Louis Meyer]] requested a glass of [[buttermilk]] after winning his second Indy 500 race in 1933. After winning his third title in 1936, he requested another glass but instead received a bottle. He was captured by a photographer in the act of swigging from the bottle while holding up three fingers to signify the third win. A local dairy company executive recognized the marketing opportunity in the image and, being unaware Meyer was drinking buttermilk, offered a bottle of milk to the winners of future races. Milk has been presented each year since then, apart from 1947 to 1955. Modern drivers are offered a choice of whole, 2%, and skim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From The Marbles |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=sports.yahoo.com |language=en-US |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222054350/https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Kasey-Kahne-Brad-Sweet-to-split-Great-Clips-Nat?urn=nascar-wp5942 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the [[1993 Indianapolis 500]], winner [[Emerson Fittipaldi]], who owned and operated an orange grove, notoriously drank [[orange juice]] instead of milk during the televised winner's interview. He eventually relented and also drank from the milk bottle later in the post-race ceremonies after the broadcast was over, but the public relations damage had already been done.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 June 2012 |title=The Greatest 33: Emerson Fittipaldi |url=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/50951/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510152856/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/history/50951/ |archive-date=2012-05-10 |access-date=2012-03-30}}</ref> The snub led to Fittipaldi being booed during driver introductions at the next race on the schedule, held at the [[Milwaukee Mile]] in Wisconsin, a state known for [[Wisconsin dairy industry|its dairy industry]]. Some continued to boo Fittipaldi as late as [[2008 Indianapolis 500|2008]], in which he drove the pace car.

In [[2016 Indianapolis 500|2016]], as a promotion, the track gave out commemorative bottles of milk to 100,000 attendees to toast the winner with milk after the race.<ref>{{cite web|author1=IMS|title=World's Largest Milk Toast Planned for 100th Running of the Indy 500|url=https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/news-multimedia/news/2016/03/16/worlds-largets-milk-toast-planned-for-100th-indy-500-2016|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway|access-date=May 31, 2016|date=March 16, 2016|archive-date=May 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517010535/https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/news-multimedia/news/2016/03/16/worlds-largets-milk-toast-planned-for-100th-indy-500-2016|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Danica-r.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Danica Patrick]] on Pole Day at Indy, 2007]]

=== Female drivers ===
{{main|List of female Indianapolis 500 drivers}}
Female participation of any sort at Indianapolis was discouraged and essentially banned throughout the first several decades of competition. As such, female reporters were not even allowed in the pit area until 1971.<ref name="INDY10">{{cite web|title=Women in Racing- Indy 500 Style!|url=http://www.zimbio.com/Dan+Wheldon/articles2/Women+in+Racing+Indy+500+Style|publisher=Zimbio}}{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> There have been nine female drivers to qualify, starting with [[Janet Guthrie]] in [[1977 Indianapolis 500|1977]].

[[Sarah Fisher]] has competed nine times, the most of any woman. [[Danica Patrick]] holds the best finish (3rd) for a woman and is the only woman to have led laps during the race. [[Katherine Legge]] is the most recent woman to have competed in the race (2024), and holds the fastest one-lap (231.627&nbsp;mph) and four-lap (231.070&nbsp;mph) qualification speeds for a woman in the history of the race.

==Broadcasting==
{{main|List of Indianapolis 500 broadcasters}}

Radio coverage of the race dates back to 1922. The race has been broadcast live on the radio in its entirety by the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network]] since 1953.

The Hulmans did not allow live television coverage of the 500 until 1986, largely to maximize gate attendance. The race was briefly televised live in 1949 and 1950 on [[WRTV|WFBM-TV]] (today's WRTV), after which the practice was discontinued. From 1964 to 1970, the race was broadcast live on [[closed-circuit television]] in theaters around the country. From 1965 through 1970, a highlighted version of the race was shown on [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]'s ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]''. From 1971 through 1985, an edited same-day, [[tape delay (broadcasting)|tape delay]] broadcast of the race was shown in prime time. The race broadcast was edited down to either two or three hours in duration (including commercials).

From 1986 through 2018, ABC televised the race live in its entirety. However Indianapolis affiliate [[WRTV]] was required by the Speedway to [[blackout (broadcasting)|blackout]] the national broadcast, and instead carry it on tape delay to encourage local race attendance. In 1992 the tape-delay broadcast was pushed forward to Sunday evenings.

In [[2007 Indianapolis 500|2007]] (the first year in which the race was carried under the [[ESPN on ABC]] branding), the race was first aired in [[High-definition television|high-definition]].<ref name="INDY34">{{cite web|publisher=Indianapolis Motor Speedway|url=http://indy500ontv.com/|title=91st Indianapolis 500 To Be Televised On ABC In Sony HD Technology|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522132331/http://indy500ontv.com/|archive-date=2015-05-22}}</ref> In 2016, the IMS declared a sell-out of race tickets for the 100th running of the event, meaning that WRTV would be allowed to air the race live for the first time since 1950.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/indycar/road-to-100/blackout-lifted-rtv6-to-show-indianapolis-500-live-on-race-day|title=Blackout lifted: RTV6 to show Indianapolis 500 LIVE on race day|work=[[WRTV|TheIndyChannel.com]]|publisher=[[Scripps Media]]|date=25 May 2016|access-date=25 August 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528155159/http://www.theindychannel.com/sports/indycar/road-to-100/blackout-lifted-rtv6-to-show-indianapolis-500-live-on-race-day|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WRTV to air Indy 500 live|url=http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wrtv-to-air-indy-500-live-after-blackout-lifted/171126|website=TVSpy|date=May 25, 2016|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=May 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526121124/http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/wrtv-to-air-indy-500-live-after-blackout-lifted/171126|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under the live coverage arrangement, the Indianapolis affiliate of the network airing the race airs that day's programming in a transposed arrangement, with network primetime programming airing during the race and transmitted to the affiliate in advance (for instance in 2019, WTHR aired the season finale of the NBC primetime series ''[[Good Girls (TV series)|Good Girls]]'' at 2 p.m. local time), while the race airs on tape delay in prime time.

Coverage of time trials on ABC dates back to 1961. ABC covered time trials in various live and in tape-delayed formats from 1961 to 2008 and from 2014 to 2018. [[ESPN]] (and later along with [[ESPN2]]) carried various portions of time trials from 1987 to 2008. Versus covered time trials from 2009 to 2013. Practice sessions have been streamed live online dating back to at least 2001.<ref>[http://www.chron.com/news/article/BW-IndyCar-and-WhiteBlox-Cross-the-Finish-Line-1877121.php IndyCar and WhiteBlox Cross the Finish Line; Tens of Thousands of Viewers Surf to Live Online Indy 500 Video Coverage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211011821/http://www.chron.com/news/article/BW-IndyCar-and-WhiteBlox-Cross-the-Finish-Line-1877121.php |date=December 11, 2013 }} – Houston Chronicle, 1 June 2006</ref>

In 2019, coverage of the Indianapolis 500 moved to [[IndyCar Series on NBC|NBC]], as part of a new three-year contract that unified the IndyCar Series' television rights with [[NBC Sports]] (the parent division of its cable partner NBCSN), and replaced the package of five races broadcast by ABC with an eight-race package on [[NBC]]. The Indianapolis 500 was one of the eight races; the contract ended ABC's 54-year tenure as broadcaster of the race.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/03/21/indycar-races-broadcast-nbc-beginning-2019/444807002/|title=The Indy 500 will soon have a new TV network|work=Indianapolis Star|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en|archive-date=March 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322041348/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/03/21/indycar-races-broadcast-nbc-beginning-2019/444807002/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/indianapolis-500-indycar-nbc-sports-abc-1202732343/|title=NBC Sports Grabs Indianapolis 500 Rights From ABC After 54 Years|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=2018-03-21|work=Variety|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en-US|archive-date=November 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118085934/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/indianapolis-500-indycar-nbc-sports-abc-1202732343/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[WTHR]] became the local broadcaster of the race under the contract; the existing blackout policy remained, though speedway officials left the door open to allowing WTHR to air the race live in the event of a sellout.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/03/21/how-indycar-nbc-deal-affect-local-indy-500-blackout/445771002/|title=How IndyCar-NBC deal will affect local Indy 500 blackout|work=Indianapolis Star|access-date=2018-03-21|language=en|archive-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613204927/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/03/21/how-indycar-nbc-deal-affect-local-indy-500-blackout/445771002/|url-status=live}}</ref> In contrast with the usual sell-out policy, in 2020, the race aired live on WTHR, as the Speedway ran the first three meetings (NASCAR in July, the Indianapolis 500 in August, and Road to Indy in September) behind closed doors as a result of [[COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana|COVID-19 cases in the state]] (the third INDYCAR meeting, the October road course races, admitted 10,000 spectators each day).<ref>{{cite press release|title=Indianapolis 500 to air live on WTHR|publisher=WTHR|date=22 July 2020|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/motor/indianapolis-500/indianapolis-500-to-air-live-indy-wthr-channel-13-2020/531-1a6779cb-1ce3-478a-b942-743434c2d1ae|access-date=6 August 2020|archive-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813055456/https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/motor/indianapolis-500/indianapolis-500-to-air-live-indy-wthr-channel-13-2020/531-1a6779cb-1ce3-478a-b942-743434c2d1ae|url-status=live}}</ref> The race was also shown live in 2021 on WTHR due to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's restricted capacity amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/motor/indianapolis-500/105th-indianapolis-500-to-welcome-fans-at-40-percent-capacity-indianapolis-moor-speedway-vaccine-restrictions/531-09d413be-3ff3-4892-b854-5451db013f35|title = 105th Indianapolis 500 to welcome fans at 40 percent capacity|date = 21 April 2021|access-date = July 20, 2021|archive-date = July 20, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210720191422/https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/motor/indianapolis-500/105th-indianapolis-500-to-welcome-fans-at-40-percent-capacity-indianapolis-moor-speedway-vaccine-restrictions/531-09d413be-3ff3-4892-b854-5451db013f35|url-status = live}}</ref> [[WPBI-LD|WPBI-LD2]] in [[Lafayette, Indiana|Lafayette]] also blacks out live coverage of the race as although Lafayette is its own television market, Indianapolis stations are easily accessible (and outside of Lafayette's CBS affiliate, were the only stations available to Lafayette viewers until the mid-2010s). WPBI-LD2 would therefore also air NBC's primetime programming in the afternoon along with WTHR whilst the race aired live across the rest of the network. The first day of qualifying is no longer broadcast on television and only available through streaming.

In 2022, the race was able to be viewed live within central Indiana and Lafayette; however, it was only available on the [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] streaming service and was not available live on WTHR or WPBI-DT2. The race aired on tape delay as normal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2022/05/27/indy-500-2022-how-to-watch-live-peacock-signup-blackout-indianapolis-indiana/9957491002/ |title=Local Indy 500 fans: Here's how you can subscribe to Peacock to watch the race live Sunday |work=Indianapolis Star |last=Brown |first=Nathan |date=May 27, 2022 |access-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425190919/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2022/05/27/indy-500-2022-how-to-watch-live-peacock-signup-blackout-indianapolis-indiana/9957491002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the blackout was lifted at 2:30&nbsp;p.m. due to inclement weather causing delays.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-26 |title=2024 Indianapolis 500 to air live on WTHR Channel 13 in central Indiana following rain delay |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/motor/indianapolis-500/2024-indianapolis-500-air-live-wthr-channel-13-central-indiana-following-rain-delay/531-2b6eae3e-e4cc-4280-acd0-93f63c030930 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=wthr.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]] took over rights to IndyCar, including the Indianapolis 500, beginning in 2025, with [[WXIN]] as its local outlet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOX will be new exclusive home of IndyCar, Indianapolis 500 starting in 2025 |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/fox-will-new-exclusive-home-indycar-indianapolis-500-starting-2025 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614072119/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/fox-will-new-exclusive-home-indycar-indianapolis-500-starting-2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 16, 2025, with IMS expecting a sellout, it was announced that the blackout would be lifted for the eighth time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Nathan |title=IMS lifts blackout of Indy 500 ahead of expected grandstand sellout |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/indy-500/2025/05/16/indy-500-blackout-ims-grandstand-tickets-sellout/83667728007/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Indianapolis 500 firsts]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 records]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 traditions]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 by year]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 pace cars]]
* [[Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year]]
* [[List of Indianapolis 500 winners]]
* [[List of Indianapolis 500 pole-sitters]]
* [[List of Indianapolis 500 lap leaders]]
* [[List of Indianapolis 500 broadcasters]]
* [[List of female Indianapolis 500 drivers]]
* [[List of fatalities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Terry Reed. ''[https://archive.org/details/indyraceritualof00reed Indy: The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500]''. 2nd ed. Potomac Books, Inc.; 2005. {{ISBN|978-1-57488-907-9}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.indy500.com}}
* [http://dmr.bsu.edu/cdm4/collection.php?CISOROOT=/SatterleePh Images from the Ralph J. Satterlee Indianapolis 500 Photographs Collection, Ball State University Digital Media Repository]

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