August 19, 1909: Brickyard inaugurated

On this day in 1909, the first race was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, commonly known as The Brickyard.

Virtually unchanged since 1909, the track is 2 1/2 miles long in an ovular shape. One yard of the original brick surface remains today and serves as the start/finish line.

The Brickyard (technically in the town of Speedway, Indiana) is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world, with over 250,000 permanent seats and room for 150,000 more on the infield.

The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911; it was made 500 miles because officials wanted the race to last around 7 hours. Ray Harroun won that first race in 6:42. Three drivers – A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears – have won four times.

It is now held on Memorial Day weekend. The winner drinks milk in victory lane thanks to a habit by Depression-era three-time winner Louis Meyer of drinking buttermilk to cool off.

Image: 1909 advertisement, now housed in the Library of Congress