Indianapolis 500, sometimes called the Indy 500, is one of the most famous automobile races. It has been called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The Indianapolis 500 tests the speed and performance of automobiles and the skill and daring of drivers.
The Indianapolis 500 takes place on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, northwest of Indianapolis. The speedway, 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) long, was originally built in 1909 as a proving (demonstration) ground for automobiles to test their top speeds. The race is traditionally held during the Memorial Day weekend in late May.
There are 33 starting positions. Drivers with the highest average speeds in four qualifying laps earn the chance to race. The first driver to complete the 200 laps around the track—a distance of 500 miles (800 kilometers)—wins the race. All the drivers share in one of the largest purses (amounts of prize money) in automobile racing, which has exceeded $15 million. First prize has reached more than $4 million. 
The first Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30, 1911. Forty drivers participated. The American driver Ray Harroun won the race. Four drivers—Helio Castroneves, A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser, Sr.—have each won a record four races. For 60 years, only men could participate in the race. In 1971, women were first allowed to participate in the event. In 1977, Janet Guthrie of the United States became the first woman to race in the Indianapolis 500. In 2009, the American driver Danica Patrick finished third, the highest finish yet by any woman. In 2020, the race was postponed to August, due to the COVID-19 pandemic (global outbreak of disease). 
