Unbelievable Stories from the 109th Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis, IN — The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set to kick off on Sunday, May 25, at 12:30 p.m. ET. With over 100 years of racing history, the iconic event has produced numerous remarkable stories, many of which may be hard to believe.

One of the most intriguing tales dates back to the very first race in 1911. Ray Harroun is officially recognized as the winner, but the actual results remain a mystery due to a timing system failure that year. Event founder Carl G. Fisher implemented the Warner Horograph, a complex and ultimately flawed system for tracking the race, which led to chaos on the track. Ralph Mulford thought he crossed the finish line first but found Harroun already celebrating in Victory Circle.

The Indy 500 is also known for its massive crowds. For the first time since 2016, the event has reached a sold-out grandstand for 2025, with 350,000 expected attendees, making it the world’s largest single-day sporting event. This year, attendees will consist of 250,000 in the grandstands and 100,000 in the infield general admission zones.

While the 500 used to rely on timing entries to set the starting order, a structured four-lap qualifying format was established in 1920 to ensure drivers’ speeds were assessed properly. Before that, the quickest way to secure a front spot was merely being the first to sign up.

In a move that defined its uniqueness, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) limited the Indy 500 starting grid to 33 cars in 1912. This decision stemmed from the perception that 400 feet of track was necessary for each vehicle to race safely.

With the cancellation of the race in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indy 500 faced an unprecedented shift. Normally held on Memorial Day in May, the race was rescheduled for August that year, making it the only time in its history the race did not occur in May since its inception.

Women faced significant barriers at the Indy 500 before Mari McCloskey’s landmark lawsuit in the 1960s challenged restrictive practices that barred female reporters from the pits. While their participation was initially limited, women have played vital roles in the sport’s history, including Lucy O’Reilly Schell, who fielded a car before the war.

In 1981, Bobby Unser initially won the race but was later penalized for an infraction, causing a controversial overturn of results with Mario Andretti recognized as the winner, only for the decision to be reversed. Such controversies add to the rich narrative woven throughout the event’s storied past.

Lastly, despite the majority of common surnames being represented in Indianapolis 500 history, no driver has ever competed with the last name ‘Smith,’ making it another curious fact that continues to intrigue fans of this legendary race.