What 500-mile race is held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

The 500-mile race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the Indianapolis 500. Commonly called the Indy 500, it is one of the most famous events in American motorsport and part of the IndyCar Series.

The first race took place on May 30, 1911, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Organizers chose a 500-mile distance because it offered a dramatic endurance challenge while still allowing the race to finish during daylight. The inaugural event was won by Ray Harroun in a Marmon Wasp.

Drivers complete 200 laps of the track’s 2.5-mile oval, covering 500 miles in total. The race traditionally takes place around Memorial Day weekend and is known for its large field, three-wide starting grid, pit-stop strategy, and famously unpredictable finishes.

A common mix-up is the Daytona 500, another major American race. The Daytona 500 is held at Daytona International Speedway and is a NASCAR event, while the Indianapolis 500 uses open-wheel Indy cars. Monaco Grand Prix is also a major race, but it is held on a street circuit and is far shorter.