Indianapolis 500

noun

1. a 500-mile oval-track race for rear-engine cars having particular specifications, held annually in Indianapolis, Ind.

Example Sentences

Members even threatened to fly a small jet banner reading “The Viet Cong ride on Firestone” at the 1965 Indianapolis 500 race.

From Washington Post

More About Indianapolis 500

What is the Indianapolis 500?

The Indianapolis 500 is an annual 500-mile auto race in the sport that’s known as Indy Car racing. It’s held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most famous auto races in the world. It’s popularly called the Indy 500 and is nicknamed the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. It’s one of the major races in the IndyCar racing season.

When is the Indianapolis 500?

The Indianapolis 500 is typically held on the last Sunday in May. The 2024 Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 26. The 2025 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25.

More information and context on the Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909, and the first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911.

The Indianapolis 500 traditionally consists of a field of 33 drivers and is run around a 2.5-mile oval racetrack. It is not a Formula One event—Indy Cars are similar to Formula One cars, but differ in some technical ways. In fact, the word Indy in Indy Car is named for the Indianapolis 500.

For many years, the race was famously begun with an announcer saying, “Gentleman, start your engines!” As the race now sometimes includes women drivers, it is now begun by saying, “Drivers, start your engines!”

What are some terms that often get used in discussing the Indianapolis 500?

• Indy Car racing
• auto racing
• speedway
• checkered flag
• driver

How is the Indianapolis 500 discussed in real life?

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most famous auto races in the world. It is commonly called the Indy 500.

BREAKING: Takuma Sato of Japan wins the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500.

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 28, 2017

WOW! Marco Andretti wins the pole for the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500! Average speed of 231.068 mph beats Scott Dixon's 231.051. That was thrilling stuff.

First Andretti on the Indy 500 pole since Mario in 1987.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) August 16, 2020

“He is part of the Mount Rushmore of Indy,” said Dario Franchitti, another three-time Indianapolis 500 winner. https://t.co/9AzKjh8cDp

— ABC News (@ABC) May 4, 2021

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True or False?

The Indianapolis 500 is a Formula One race.