The Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, is an annual motorcar race held during Memorial Day, the last weekend in May, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This event is associated with the Verison Indy Car Series and is seen as the top level America Championship of Car Racing. The event is part of the Motorsports Triple Crown.

The race involves a 2.5 mile oval track involving drivers to make 200 counterclockwise laps. Practices and time trials are held two weeks prior to the race. Typically, the race begins with 33 starters aligned in a grid of eleven rows of three. A formula level, single-seat, open wheel, open cockpit, style car, known as the “Indy car” is used.

The event is never held on rainy days and it will be delayed or postponed if rain occurs. If rain falls more than halfway through the race (i.e., more than 101 laps) the race will officially end and a winner will be announced.

The first race began in 1911 and was won by Ray Harroun. Since then, the race has celebrated its centennial anniversary with the 100th held in 2016.

In 2015, all racers had to have a 2.2L V6 twin-turbocharged engine. These can produce between 550 to 700 horsepower.

Interesting Fact: the winner of this event receives prizemoney of over $2.5 million.