One of Indiana’s big Memorial Day weekend events is the Indianapolis 500. Everyone from young to old enjoys the race. You can enjoy the race from home or at the track. Being at the race track is not for everyone. Some people like to have a family by their side and have a cookout while enjoying the race on TV.
“Back Home Again in Indiana.’’
A pre-race tradition (since 1946) is the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.’’ In 1972, Jim Nabors (aka “Gomer Pyle’’) was a guest of track owner Tony Hulman. Hulman, just moments before the opening ceremonies, asked Nabors to sing. Nabors had no rehearsal and wrote the lyrics on his hand. He performed the song 45 times over 42 years, and his final appearance was in 2014. Nabors died in November 2017 at age 87.
Why do they drink milk after winning the Indianapolis 500?
- In 1936, a race car driver named Louis Meyer drank buttermilk after winning a race because his mother said it would help refresh him on a hot day. A dairy executive saw this as a chance to promote milk, so drinking milk on Victory Lane became a tradition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races starting in 1956.
What was the original name of the Indy 500?
- The race was originally advertised as the “International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race” from 1911 to 1916. However, from its inception, the race has been widely known as the Indianapolis 500 or, more simply, “the 500”.
How long did it take to run the first Indy 500?
- Ray Harroun called his yellow #32 Marmon race car the Wasp. Harroun and relief driver Cyrus Patschke finished the 500 miles in just over 6 hours and 42 minutes, with an average race speed of 74.6 miles per hour.
How to watch the race
The race airs on Sunday, May 30th on NBC. Coverage starts at 11 A.M. EST. The race starts at 12:30 P.M.EST To livestream the race, visit NBC Sports and the NBC Sports App.
Clothpin race cars
To honor the Indy 500, have your own race. All you need is a toilet paper roll. Share this PDF with your family and friends, so you can have your very own race on race day at your cookout or at home. All you need to know is in the PDF.
Family Activities 