The First Indy 500: Speed, Strategy, and a New Tradition

Cars roar around the curve at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911, kicking up clouds of dust as crowds watch the birth of a racing tradition.

On Memorial Day in 1911, over 80,000 spectators poured into the brand-new Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The air buzzed with an energy that felt both celebratory and historic. They came not just to watch a race—but to witness something audacious: the world’s first 500-mile automobile competition.

Challenge of 500 Miles

At the time, automobiles were still novel machines—loud, temperamental, and dangerously fast by the standards of the day. But racing fans were growing in number and enthusiasm. The Speedway itself had opened just two years prior as a testing ground for America’s booming auto industry. After several shorter races, organizers decided to go bigger: one long-distance race to prove which machines—and drivers—could truly endure.

The idea for a 500-mile race arose from the Speedway’s owners, who wanted an event so grand it would draw national attention and showcase automotive innovation. With a $27,550 purse — an enormous sum for the time — the race attracted 40 competitors driving cars built by pioneers like Marmon, Stutz, and Fiat.

The rules were simple but grueling: 500 miles around a 2.5-mile oval track made of crushed stone and tar — a far cry from today’s smooth asphalt. Drivers and their riding mechanics (needed to pump fuel, oil, and watch gauges) faced hours of deafening noise, choking dust, and the constant risk of mechanical failure or worse.

Ray Harroun, seated in his revolutionary Marmon Wasp, surrounded by crew and admirers before winning the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. The car was the first to feature a rearview mirror, eliminating the need for a riding mechanic.

Ray Harroun and the Marmon Wasp

Forty cars lined up at the starting brick-paved stretch, known then as "The Brickyard." The field included a colorful cast of early daredevils: seasoned drivers, garage tinkerers turned racers, and factory-backed teams from companies like Marmon, Fiat, and National. Some drivers wore dust goggles and leather helmets; others wrapped themselves in scarves and relied on sheer nerve.

Ray Harroun, a former engineer and driver for the Marmon Motor Car Company, piloted the distinctive yellow #32 Marmon "Wasp." While most drivers had onboard mechanics to assist and watch for traffic, Harroun controversially installed a rear-view mirror—a bold innovation that gave him an edge and freed him to race solo. Spectators at the time viewed it as a mix of genius and recklessness.

The race itself was an exhausting test of stamina. Clouds of dust rose from the brick surface. Tires shredded. Engines overheated. Drivers and mechanics were spattered with oil and grit. One car struck a mechanic in the pits, another flipped in a crash. The roar of the engines was constant, overwhelming, mesmerizing.

After nearly seven hours, Harroun emerged victorious, completing the 500 miles at an average speed of just over 74 mph—a blistering pace for the time. His triumph was hailed as a blend of technical ingenuity and sheer endurance.

The crowd—sweaty, sunburned, exhilarated—erupted in applause. Reporters rushed to file stories about this strange and spectacular new event. And while no one could have guessed it then, the inaugural Indy 500 had just launched what would become one of America’s most iconic and enduring sporting traditions.

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