On Sunday, May 26, the 108th edition of the Indianapolis 500 will be held.
The Sunday before Memorial Day sees one of the greatest open-wheel racing events in American history: the Indianapolis 500.
Every year, 33 drivers strive to etch their names on the Borg-Warner trophy by being the first to cross the yard of bricks on the 200th lap of the race. However, for newcomers to the Indy 500, the task can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in – to offer our assistance and guidance!
One of the oldest races globally, the Indy 500 is also commonly recognized as one of the largest single-day events. Taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile track, every May, a maximum of 33 open-wheel cars gather to compete in a thrilling 200-lap, 500-mile oval race.
Due to its century-long legacy, substantial prize money, and potential to be a game-changer for a driver’s career, the race holds the utmost distinction on the IndyCar schedule.
The race’s prestige is elevated due to its inclusive nature, allowing anyone to participate. While numerous racers compete solely in the 500 and not in any other IndyCar races, this is primarily because of the event’s renowned status. It can be likened to a scenario where F1 teams could field additional drivers exclusively for Monaco, or if drivers were limited to competing solely in Monaco and not other races. Although modern F1 regulations impose restrictions on such practices, IndyCar embraces and encourages them.
Indy 500 History In A Nutshell
The inaugural Indianapolis 500 took place in the distant year of 1911 and has been held almost annually ever since, except during periods of the World Wars. This prestigious race unfolds at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a circuit that originated from the visionary mind of Carl G. Fisher, a passionate entrepreneur and lover of bicycles, as early as 1909.
Initially, the track surface was covered with a layer of crushed rock and tar. Subsequently, it underwent a repavement process where hand-laid bricks were placed on top. Finally, the track was resurfaced with asphalt.
During its early years, the Indy 500 was authorized by the Contest Board of the American Automobile Association (AAA). However, this led to disputes between track owners and drivers, eventually causing a significant split in American open-wheel racing. Consequently, the Indy 500 now plays a crucial role in the contemporary IndyCar calendar.
What Is The Month Of May?
The IndyCar world holds the “Month of May” in high regard, as it is an integral part of the iconic 500-mile race tradition. In the early years, practice for the Indy 500 would commence on May 1st.
While not every team or driver may have appeared and taken to the track on May 1st, the track remained accessible to all participants of the event who desired to seize the opportunity and give it a try.
There were multiple reasons why this was deemed necessary. Firstly, historically, it was common for 50 or more cars to participate in the Indy 500, making it crucial to provide sufficient track time for everyone. Additionally, throughout the long history of the race, teams typically had no alternative means to test their cars aside from actually running them on a race track.
Numerous cars aiming to participate in the race would make their debut on the track during practice sessions. Likewise, many drivers would be testing the event for the very first time. The extensive practice period provided an opportunity for all participants to identify and address any mechanical issues long before the actual race day arrived.
For decades, a complete month of practice has become unnecessary. Presently, we only allocate around a week for practice, followed by two days of qualifying. Nevertheless, the name “Indy 500” has persisted, fueled by the inclusion of the Indy Grand Prix two weeks prior to the main event. This exhilarating race occurs on the track’s infield road course and aims to generate excitement and anticipation for the renowned Indy 500.
Make sure you don’t miss any session during the Indy 500 by taking a look at our comprehensive ‘Month of May’ schedule.
How Does Indy 500 Practice Work?
As mentioned earlier, the Indy 500 race weekend is anything but ordinary. The preparations for the 2024 race have already commenced, with drivers engaging in practice sessions. Prior to the qualifying round, drivers will undergo four days of practice, with each session lasting for six hours. Following the qualifying round, drivers will have an additional four hours of practice allocated over a span of two days.
How does Indy 500 qualifying work?
The Indy 500 qualifying process spans over two days, specifically the Saturday and Sunday before the race held on the following Sunday. While we offer a comprehensive Indy 500 qualifying guide, we have highlighted a few key points to remember.
- In the Indy 500, the maximum number of cars allowed to start is 33. However, in the upcoming 2024 race, there are 34 entrants, meaning that one participant will unfortunately be excluded.
- The determination of qualification is based on speed, which is calculated by averaging four fast laps.
- Each car will be given one opportunity on Saturday. The top 12 drivers, based on their performance in Saturday’s qualifying, will then compete in an extra qualifying session on Sunday to determine the pole position. On the other hand, the bottom four drivers will participate in an additional qualifying session on Sunday to secure the final three spots on the starting grid.
- Once every car qualifies on Saturday, drivers have the option to make additional attempts. They can choose to forfeit their initial qualifying speed and gain priority access to the track, or they can retain their initial qualifying speed and wait for the priority drivers to finish.
- Qualifying on Sunday is divided into three segments: the Fast 12, the final opportunity qualifiers, and the Fast six.
- The top six drivers from the Fast 12 session will advance to a second session on Sunday. In this session, they will vie for the pole position and determine the starting positions for the first rows of the grid.
- The drivers with the slowest times on Saturday will participate in a last-chance qualifying round. Each car will have one opportunity to set a qualifying speed and may choose to make more attempts. The driver with the slowest speed at the conclusion of this session will be “bumped” and will not be able to start in the Indy 500.
More on the Indy 500
Indianapolis 500: Who are the 13 F1 drivers that have won the Indy 500?
Indy 500 schedule: How to watch the ‘greatest spectacle in racing’ throughout May
Let’s talk tradition
The Indy 500 is filled with tradition, thanks to its extensive past and the diligent preservation of certain customs for many years. One such tradition is the post-race milk-drinking by the drivers. This practice originated in 1933 when the victorious Louis Meyer quenched his thirst with a refreshing glass of chilled buttermilk. The Indiana Dairy Association, impressed by this act, promptly became a sponsor of the event, and this tradition has since become an enduring part of the Indy 500.
The reason you’ll spot numerous bagpipers at the track is due to the consistent presence of the Gordon Pipers, a volunteer group that first performed at the track in 1962 and has made appearances without fail every year since then.
Since 1946, the song “Back Home Again in Indiana” has been performed prior to each race.
Introduced in 1936, the Borg-Warner trophy is an immense trophy.
When drivers emerge victorious, they are still honored with laurel wreaths.
The finish line, famously known as the “yard of bricks,” has its origins in the hand-laid brick surface that was introduced on the track prior to the inaugural 500-mile race in 1911.
If you cast your gaze in any direction, chances are high that you will come across objects that have stood the test of time for several decades, if not an entire century.
Due to the immense significance the race holds for numerous individuals, both fans and track officials have made diligent efforts to safeguard and maintain as many of them as feasible.
What’s the prize money for entering and winning the Indy 500?
The prize money for a race of this magnitude is substantial. Although the exact amount for 2024 is not yet disclosed, last year’s Indy 500 champion, Josef Newgarden, received $3.666 million as his share from a prize pool exceeding $17 million.
Katherine Legge, despite her early race retirement in 2024, earned a substantial amount of $102,000 for participating, even though the average payout for drivers surpassed $500,000.
However, the true reward for emerging victorious in the 500 lies in the prestige it brings. By clinching first place, the winning driver becomes part of a rich history spanning over a century and joins the ranks of the world’s most exceptional drivers.
To preserve their place in motorsport history, drivers will have their face incorporated into the Borg-Warner, the renowned trophy that symbolizes the race, providing them with a sense of accomplishment.
Read next: Indy 500 qualifying explained: How starting grids are determined compared to F1
