Race day, race week, history, and the people behind the 500

The Indy 500

Driver interviews, race week guides, history, and the people who make the 500 the heart of Hoosier sports.

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The short answerUpdated Jul 1, 2026

The Indianapolis 500 is the world's oldest major automobile race and the cornerstone of the NTT IndyCar Series. Held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1911, it draws more than 300,000 fans every Memorial Day weekend and is the unofficial start of summer for Hoosiers.

Race day
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Running
110th
Distance
500 miles, 200 laps
Watch on
Fox Sports
Coverage
23 Indy 500 stories

Indy 500 in Indianapolis Metro

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Indy 500 questions people actually ask

Written to answer the thing you actually searched for, not to pad the page.

02

How can I watch the Indy 500 in 2026?

Starting in 2026, the Indy 500 broadcasts live on Fox Sports as part of the new IndyCar TV deal. Coverage also streams on the Fox Sports app, and the race is carried on the IMS Radio Network nationally.

03

Who won the first Indy 500?

Ray Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911, driving the Marmon Wasp. He averaged 74.6 mph over 500 miles and is credited with the first use of a rear-view mirror in racing.

05

What is Carb Day?

Carb Day, short for Carburetion Day, is the final practice session for the Indy 500. It is held the Friday before the race, includes the Pit Stop Challenge and a major concert, and is a tradition dating back to when cars used carburetors instead of fuel injection.

06

Why does the Indy 500 winner drink milk?

The milk tradition started in 1936 when three-time winner Louis Meyer drank buttermilk in Victory Lane after his third win. The American Dairy Association of Indiana noticed and has supplied milk to the winner almost every year since.
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