Month of May

The race and related on-track activities have claimed the lives of at least 54 drivers, mechanics, IMS workers, and spectators since 1911. But innovation in safety procedures and technology have tempered the tragedy.

In one image, a sampling of the 80,000-plus spectators take in the action from the fourth turn, some in the north grandstands and others from their own vehicles. Some fans appear somewhat more debauched—particularly the gentleman to the right of the rutted roadway who appears to be unconscious.

Pick your favorite decade. A look at every Indy 500 winner and their average speeds.

Chloe wants to do all she can to help the kids currently staying at Riley, because she knows what it’s like to be stuck in a hospital bed, wishing she were someplace else.

Pine is the latest addition to a 2016 roster of Indy 500 celebrities that so far includes Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, and homegrown Voice champ Josh Kaufman.

“The princesses have an unofficial motto: ‘Don’t sleep until the Month of May is over,’” DeWitt says. “But it’s totally worth it.”

Sugarmann—whose work “engages the automotive industry as a manufacturer of human identity” and has been shown nationally and internationally—interviewed, photographed, and filmed each participant. The result is an oral and visual history of the Indianapolis 500, exhibited at Big Car’s new cultural center, the Tube Factory.

“I’m honored to sing the national anthem at the Indianapolis 500 and be invited to celebrate the milestone of the 100th Running,” Rucker said in a statement.

Pace car driver Roger Penske notches his 50th year as an owner this year, and his teams have won the Indy 500 16 times.

The graphic will cover 74,538 square feet and include images of the Borg-Warner Trophy, an Indy car, the 100th Running logo, and the words, “Epic Race. Epic Place.”

As IndyCar drivers prepared for the 2015 Indianapolis 500, their families got in some playtime during a photo shoot outside the Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Revelers in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield cut loose at the 2015 Snake Pit Party. What did you miss? Music, beer, cutoffs, tanks, groping, and—judging by the photos, at least—a damned good time.

On Saturday night, celebrities and athletes walked the red carpet on their way into the 2015 Indianapolis 500 Festival Snakepit Ball, the annual pre–Indianapolis 500 fundraiser at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indy.

Saturday in downtown Indianapolis, the 500 Festival Parade featured floats, fans, celebrities, and plenty of excitement as the city gets in the mood for the 2015 Indianapolis 500. Notables in attendance included Pacers Paul George and Frank Vogel, Indy 500 drivers Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon, and former Colt and restaurateur Gary Brackett.  

“We’re not nervous about the large audience. We’re nervous about the history of the song and the expectations that the people of Indiana have for that moment.”