GEARING UP FOR INDY INFORMATIONAL TEXT

Transcription

1 GEARING UP FOR INDY INFORMATIONAL TEXT DO YOU KNOW YOUR RACE FLAGS? CHECK THE BACK COVER FOR ANSWERS. 500festival.com IMS.com

2 A HISTORY & TIMELINE OF THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is known throughout the world as the home of the Indianapolis 500. This automobile race is held each May on Memorial Day Weekend. Since the first race in, the Indianapolis 500 has become more than just an automobile race. This sporting event is a month-long celebration of activities presented by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been listed on the National Register of Historical places since 75, and it was named a National Historic Landmark in 87. The Speedway was built in the spring of 09 and the first competitive event was a balloon race on June 5, 09. The first motorized race was a motorcycle event held August, the track is still generally the same, except the surface has been changed several times through the years. The original surface was crushed stone sprayed with tar, but this fell apart and caused many accidents. The Wabash Valley Clay Company of Veedersburg, Indiana delivered 3,0,000 tenpound street paving bricks. These bricks were used to create a stronger surface. The track remained brick for 25 years. This is why the Speedway is often called The Brickyard. In 36, many of the bricks were patched with blacktop. By fall 61, the entire track, with the exception of the start/ finish line, was covered with blacktop. 09. The first Indianapolis 500-Mile Race was held in. (The race was not run from - due to World War I and from due to World War II. Other than the war years, the race has been run every year since.) The track was originally built to serve as a testing facility for the rapidly growing local automobile industry. By, Indiana ranked second in the country in number of automobiles made. However, the passenger cars being made could go faster than any Indiana dirt road would permit. Thus, Carl Fisher, a Greensburg, Indiana native, and his partners, Arthur Newby, Frank Wheeler, and James Allison, built the Speedway for testing. The first Indianapolis 500 was held May 30,. Forty cars met the average speed of 75 miles per hour (mph) and were allowed to race. The race was won in a time of six hours and 42 minutes. The winner, Ray Harroun, ran an average speed of mph. He won the first 500 with the help of what is believed to be the very first rearview mirror ever used on an automobile. Workers created a 2.5-mile track with banked turns. Today In 27, the track changed ownership and a new group of people led by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker took charge. Rickenbacker was worried about safety at the track. In 35, he decided to have warning lights added to the track. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the first track in the world to use warning lights. During this year, there was also a rule made that required drivers to wear helmets while driving at the Speedway. Louis Meyer was a famous driver. He was the first driver to win the race three times; he was the first to drink milk in Victory Circle; and he was the first to win the Borg-Warner Trophy. (The Borg-Warner Trophy is displayed in the Hall of Fame Museum. The trophy stands at nearly 5 feet tall and weighs 1 pounds. The face of the winner is added to the trophy each year.) During World War II, the track was beginning to fall apart. Anton Hulman, Jr. from Terre Haute, Indiana, bought the 09: Founders (left to right) Arthur Newby, Frank Wheeler, Carl Fisher, and James Allison joined to build the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fisher s vision was to build an automobile testing ground. 09 Since 09, the Speedway s Winged-Wheel has been one of the most recognizable logos in all of sports. The wheel represents the founders plan of an automobile testing ground, and the wings represent the role aviation played in the early years at the Speedway. 00s 50s 40s WORLD WAR II 27: Eddie Rickenbacker and his partners purchased the Speedway for $750,000, which equals about $8.5 million today. 36: The Borg-Warner Trophy became the official prize for Indianapolis 500 winners. Each winner gets a sterling silver face mounted to the trophy. 36: After winning his third Indianapolis 500, Louis Meyer asked for a bottle of buttermilk in Victory Lane. This was the inspiration for the race winner to drink milk, an annual tradition. December 09: A new track surface was completed. The track was repaved with 3.2 million bricks WORLD WAR I August 09: The first race on the track, a motorcycle event, took place on the brand new IMS oval. The oval was made of crushed stone and tar. 48 circa 30 30s s s May 30, : Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500 at an average speed of miles per hour. Harroun s race car, a Marmon Wasp, was the first car to use a rearview mirror. circa Through the years, the logo has had hundreds of variations, usually custom-made for a program, credential, ticket, or poster. The seven racing flags became a major part of the logo by the mid-50s. 35: IMS was the first track in the world to have safety-warning lights and the first track to require participants to wear helmets. 38: A wall was built in Pit Lane to separate the crews work area from the pit area, creating a safer working environment. November, 45: Tony Hulman bought the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Eddie Rickenbacker for $750, : The 500 Festival was created to organize civic events to celebrate the Indianapolis 500. Today, more than 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participate in activities during the month of May. 2

3 Speedway. Since 45, the Hulman-George family has owned it. For many years, the prize money was $60,000. This money was divided among the drivers in the race. After Tony Hulman bought the track, the award money increased year to year. From a record $1,679 in 46 the prize money has soared to over $ million today with the winning team collecting nearly $3 million. Series uses the environmentally friendly E-85 (85 percent ethanol, percent gasoline) to fuel its cars. Ethanol is produced from field crops, such as corn, that are not grown for people to eat. Ethanol burns clean and is better for the environment. The Speedway is always looking for ways to make racecar driving safer. circa 60 60s 90s s 09 9 May 29, 05: Danica Patrick became the highest-finishing woman in the Indianapolis 500 by finishing fourth. In 09, she would beat that by finishing third overall. She was also the first woman to lead a lap in the Indy 500. September, 08: Motorcycles raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since 09. May, 96: Arie Luyendyk set the official four-lap qualifying record at miles per hour. This record still stands today. 0 Pagoda - 08 April, 93: IMS President Tony George and NASCAR President Bill France Jr. announced the first Brickyard 400 would be on August 6, September 7, 97: Construction began on a new Control Tower called the Pagoda. It was finished in time for the 00 Indianapolis oda l Pag wer rol To Cont : Rick Mears won the Indianapolis 500 for the fourth time : Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver to qualify for the Indianapolis : Al Unser won the Indianapolis 500 for the fourth time. 00s 77: A.J. Foyt became the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 four times. na Origi marked the Centennial Era celebration. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrated 0 years of history and tradition. During the Centennial Era, the opening of the track in 09 and the inaugural, or first, Indianapolis 500 in were celebrated. Since the races were not run during World War I or World War II, marked the 0th running of the Indianapolis 500. Before a sellout crowd, rookie Alexander Rossi captured his first Indianapolis 500 victory. 09- May 77: The first MiniMarathon took place. May 22, 77: Janet Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. included the Cadillac Eldorado, Camaro, SSR, and Corvette among many other types of cars. Being the honorary pace car driver is a big responsibility. Pace car drivers have included former race car drivers such as Sam Hanks, A.J. Foyt, Dario Franchitti and military officers such as General Chuck Yeager and General Colin Powell. Comedian Jay Leno, actor Patrick Dempsey, and news anchor Robin Roberts were pace car drivers for the Indianapolis 500. circa 90 80s May, 77: Tom Sneva turned the first official 0 miles per hour laps at IMS April 5, 76: The new Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum was opened to the public. The museum has about 75 classic automobiles, motorcycles, and racing cars. The start of the Indianapolis 500 is one of the most exciting moments in sports. Each year, the 33 cars follow a special car known as the pace car. The pace car driver leads the cars around the track until the 33 race cars receive the green flag to start the race. A Chevrolet has been the official pace car more often than any other automobile maker. Pace cars have circa 80 70s October 61: The rest of the bricks on the front straightaway were covered with asphalt. A 36-inch section of the bricks was left at the start/finish line and is called the Yard of Bricks. The finishes at the Indianapolis 500 continue to be thrilling. The second closest finish in history occurred in when Ryan Hunter-Reay won his first Indianapolis 500. HunterReay beat Helio Castroneves to the finish line by.06 seconds. Juan Pablo Montoya claimed his second Indianapolis 500 in by crossing the Yard of Bricks.4 of a second ahead of Will Power. The year 77 was a year of records. Tom Sneva recorded official speeds over 0 mph to qualify for the race. A.J. Foyt became the first driver to win the 500 four times while Janet Guthrie was the first female to run in the race. Rick Mears and Al Unser later joined Foyt in winning the race four times. In 96, Arie Luyendyk topped the qualification charts with a qualifying lap of mph. Al Unser, Jr. and Scott Goodyear battled for the closest finish in history in 92 with Unser s victory margin of.043 seconds. In 05, Danica Patrick led laps which put her in the history books as the first female to lead the Indianapolis 500. Through the years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been a leader in safety. In, Ray Harroun used the first rearview mirror. During the 30 s colored warning lights (green and yellow) were added to the track; drivers were required to wear helmets; and a pit wall was built to protect the crews when they worked on the cars. In 59, all drivers were required to wear special fire resistant racing uniforms. The Speedway funded the research and development of the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) walls, which were first installed in 02 at IMS. The Verizon IndyCar 55 In, Ana Beatriz, Simona DeSilvestro, Sarah Fisher, and Danica Patrick all qualified for the race, marking the first time four women have done so in the same year. May 1, 02: The SAFER Barrier was added to all four corners of the Speedway. The barrier is made of steel and foam and protects drivers during crashes. May : The Indianapolis Motor Speedway celebrated the 0th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. May : The 0th running of the Indianapolis 500 was celebrated on May 29,. 4

4 500 FESTIVAL MORE THAN 60 YEARS OF CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH THE INDY 500 Many events take place during the month of May leading up to the annual race. Created in 57, the 500 Festival is a notfor-profit organization that organizes life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the Indianapolis 500 and foster positive community impacts. With the help of 7,000 volunteers, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation. The 500 Festival plans and organizes events and programs such as the Parade, Mini-Marathon, Kids Day, Rookie Run, Memorial Service, Breakfast at the Brickyard, mini-mini and Princess Program. 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Started in 77, the.1 mile course stretches from downtown Indianapolis, to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and back. The first race included more than 800 runners, with two-time Olympic marathon medalist Frank Shorter winning the race. Today, the race has grown to 35,000 runners, walkers, and participants in wheelchairs. The day also includes the 500 Festival 5K and KidsFit Program run. Along the route are many entertainment groups, including musicians, dancers, volunteers who motivate the participants and boost the excitement level. Before the month of May begins, 33 young women from colleges and universities around the state are chosen as ambassadors to represent the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 through the 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by Reis-Nichols Jewelers. 500 Festival Princesses must be good students, leaders, and have a lot of energy. The Princesses attend and volunteer for many of the 500 Festival activities. The following weekend includes a day of fun for children in downtown Indianapolis. Each year thousands of people attend the JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids Day; the state s largest outdoor festival for children. At the event, kids have fun conquering the 500 Festival obstacle course, creating arts and crafts, and participating in educational workshops. Children ages 3 to are invited to join in the JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run. The event is a noncompetitive fun-run where hundreds of children run a downtown Indianapolis street course and everyone goes home a winner! The month of May in Indianapolis kicks off with the OneAmerica FEBRUARY - APRIL Saturday, February The Mini-Marathon, 5K, KidsFit Program and the Rookie Run promote physical fitness and good health. In addition, the 500 Festival mini-mini, an Indy Mini experience for kids, is a kids run hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The running event for kids ages 5 - is designed to give youth an Indy Mini experience while promoting fitness. The third Saturday in May kicks off with the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. The event honors mayors from around the state of Indiana and is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Guests enjoy a hearty Hoosier breakfast and hear from a racing legend and take a lap around the track in their own vehicles. They can tour the garages at the Speedway and watch drivers qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and see the announcement of the 500 Festival Queen. The 500 Festival also observes an important holiday on Memorial Day. The 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce, takes place at the Indiana War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis on the Friday before the Indianapolis 500. The service honors the men and women who fought to protect our country. popular events. Nationally and locally televised, the parade was one of the 500 Festival s first events back in 57. Each year more than 300,000 people line the two-mile route in downtown Indianapolis and over 1 million watch on TV to view floats, marching bands, celebrities, and giant helium balloons. Through the years, people such as President Gerald Ford, The Voice winner, Josh Kaufman, Mickey Mouse, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, Peyton Manning, the Indiana Fever, and Oscar Robertson and the Crispus Attucks basketball team have served as the parade Grand Marshal. Each year, the 33 drivers of the Indianapolis 500 participate in the parade and serve as Honorary Grand Marshals. After the parade comes race day. The Indianapolis 500 has been held for over 0 years and drivers and fans from all over the world come to see the greatest spectacle in racing. The month of May brings excitement to Indianapolis as more than half a million people from all over the world participate in the 500 Festival s nearly 50 events and programs. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! There is much to see and do in Indianapolis! The IPL 500 Festival Parade is one of the Festival s most SEPTEMBER MONTH OF MAY KidsFit Final 5K Saturday, March 500 Festival Kickoff to May KidsFit Program participants will put their running training in motion and finish their Final 3.1 miles of their.1 mile goal at the KidsFit Final 5K. Saturday, April 7 The Mini-Marathon is a.1-mile competitive running event and is one of the largest half-marathons in the United States. The halfmarathon course includes running on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kids Day is the largest free outdoor event for kids. Visitors can win prizes, create arts and crafts, play games, and get their faces painted! Also on Kids Day is the Rookie Run, a fun-run where everyone is a winner. Kids ages 3- can run the downtown course and get a goodie bag and finisher s medal. Once a year, racing fans, business leaders, Indiana s mayors, and the Festival Princesses gather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 500 Festival Breakfast at the Brickyard, presented by Midwestern Engineers, Inc. At this event, guests hear from racing insiders about racing s history and future. The 500 Festival embraces an important holiday, Memorial Day. The 500 Festival holds a Memorial Service to remember the Indiana men and women who died while serving in the military. Indiana s youngest runners will take over the world s largest sporting venue as part of the 500 Festival s newest event the 500 Festival mini-mini! The race is the first and only run for kids to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Additional Programs 500 Festival Volunteer Program presented by Citizens Energy Group 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program presented by Indiana University Health The parade is the only 500 Festival event that has taken place every year since the 500 Festival s founding in ,000 spectators line the streets of Indianapolis, joined by another one million watching from their televisions around the country, to view one of the nation s top parades. 500 Festival KidsFit Program 500 Festival Princess Program presented by Reis-Nichols 500 Festival Intern Program 500 Festival Corporate Member Program presented by Fifth Third Bank 500 Festival Leadership Development Program presented by BKD 5 6

5 DO YOU KNOW YOUR RACE FLAGS? START Signals the start of a race, practice session or qualifying attempt. FINISH Signals the end of a race, practice session or qualifying attempt. PASSING LAST LAP STOP CONSULTATION CAUTION DISQUALIFICATION Signals a driver that a faster car is attempting to pass. The flag is either blue and yellow, or blue and orange. Signals that one lap remains in a race or qualifying attempt. track is not safe to proceed at any speed. driver should proceed immediately to the pit area for consultation with officials. track is not safe for racing speeds. driver has been disqualified. WE RE MORE THAN JUST RACING. Families have been coming to the INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY for over a century. Why? Because we continue to put on high-caliber, affordable, family-friendly events. So pack a cooler, throw the kids in the car and be part of a truly unique American tradition; a day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Check the website for details on our Event Season. IMS.com HOW DO I SIGN UP? IMS offers the fastest Kids Club in town. For only $25, the annual membership includes rad gear, exclusive events, cool prizes and special discounts. FUN ALL YEAR LONG! Open to kids ages and under. IMS.com/4thgrade WHAT S THERE TO DO? In addition to our world-famous on track product we pack the infield with live music, entertainment and vendors. We also have a FREE Kids Zone full of music, dancing, games, prizes and lots of fun! A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE EDUCATION PROGRAM SPONSORS The 500 Festival would like to acknowledge the following organizations for their support and assistance in developing the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation, the 500 Festival Foundation, the Verizon IndyCar Series, IndyCar Experience and Dallara. We would also like to thank the following for their assistance with the program video: IMS Productions, Meredith Walker, Scott Porter, Alexa Tindall, Megan Morris, Mike Bates, Andrea Morehead, Expo Design, Paul Ziggy Harkus, Jeremy Milless and Zach Veach. We would also like to acknowledge the Education Program Advisory Committee for its leadership and input in developing the program. Finally, we would like to thank all the teachers and administrators involved in teaching our youth. Thank you very much.