Indianapolis, Indiana Motor Speedway History

This is the most iconic location of any motor racecourse in the world. This magnificent racecourse can seat up to 257,000 fans (infield seating capacity added it can accommodate 400,000 people) and that makes it the world's largest seating capacity speedway. Well-known as the racing capital of the planet, it is most popular for the Indianapolis 500 race.

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The two and a half mile, nearly rectangular, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has remained the same since it came into existence in 1909. Surprisingly, the first race ever to take place here was a gas-filled balloon race. The first motorcycle race was hosted a few months later in the same year.

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/

The Speedway was soon famous across the globe and the today well-known Indianapolis 500 race first took place in May 1911. This event has been hosted every year ever since its start, except during World War I and World War II. What added to the popularity of this event was that it was the highest paying event in sporting history, first prize was $20,000 and total purse amount was $50,000.

In the year 1927 the speedway was bought by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and his acquaintances. Two years later he added a golf course to the speedway and warning lights on the tracks in 1935. In the same year, the use of helmet was made compulsory.

Television crews hit the runway in 1949, covering the event and broadcasting it to million across the US. Many rules and regulation were made for the safety of the drivers between the 1940's and 1990's. Also, apart from the main Indianapolis 500 event, new major events were added. Some of the most famous events are the Indyracing League which was introduced in 1994 and FIM MotoGP in 2007.

However, throughout the history of this Motor Speedway there have been many events but none was bigger than the Olympic torch relay for the Winter Olympic in 2002.

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news/11474/Centennial__Indianapolis_Motor_Speedway_Timeline

People travelling to Indianapolis for events at the motor speedway will find a number of excellent Indianapolis hotels in the vicinity.

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