Real time 2026: "Felix Rosenqvist won the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, overtaking David Malukas in what came down to a one-lap shootout. The thrilling final lap resulted in the closest win in the race’s history by 0.0233 seconds, Rosenqvist’s No. 60 Honda reached the finish line by just half of a car length..."
1. Winner's Choice: Milk, Not Champagne
Since 1936, the winner of the Indy 500 has celebrated by chugging a cold bottle of milk in Victory Lane. This started when three-time winner Louis Meyer asked for a glass of buttermilk after his victory to cool off. Today, drivers fill out a "milk preference poll" before the race, choosing between whole, 2%, or fat-free.
2. The Borg-Warner Trophy is a Literal Face-Off
The massive, 110-pound Borg-Warner Trophy features the sculpted, sterling silver face of every single driver who has ever won the race. There is even one non-driver on it: a 24-karat gold likeness of the late IMS track owner Tony Hulman. Because the trophy is so huge, winners don't get to keep it; they receive a smaller replica affectionately called the "Baby Borg."
3. It's the Largest Single-Day Sporting Event in the World
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is so unbelievably massive that its permanent seating and infield can accommodate upwards of **350,000 to 400,000 fans** on race day. To put its footprint into perspective, you could comfortably fit the Roman Colosseum, Vatican City, Wimbledon, the Rose Bowl, and Yankee Stadium inside the infield all at the same time.
4. The Famous "Yard of Bricks"
The entire 2.5-mile track used to be paved with 3.2 million asphalt-covered bricks in 1909, earning it the nickname "The Brickyard." Today, the track is modern asphalt, except for a single, three-foot strip of the original bricks left exposed at the start/finish line. It is a sacred tradition for winning drivers and their teams to kneel and kiss the bricks after a victory.
5. Blazing Fast Speeds
The cars are moving so fast that they cover the length of a football field in less than a single second. The official track record for a single lap was set by Arie Luyendyk during practice in 1996, clocking in at a mind-boggling **239.260 mph** (385.051 km/h).
6. The "Curse" of Smithson
No driver named "Smith" has ever qualified for, let alone won, the Indy 500. Given how common the surname is, it has become a bizarre, long-running piece of racing superstition.
7. 1992 used to be The Closest Finish in History [ Now 2026 is closest finish 🏁🏁]
In 1992, Al Unser Jr. beat Scott Goodyear across the finish line by a mere **0.043 seconds**. After 500 miles of grueling racing, the margin of victory was literally the width of a car's nose cone.
8. A "Green" Track Tradition
Since 1946, the opening of the track on race day morning is signaled by the blasting of an aerial bomb at exactly 6:00 AM. It alerts the thousands of fans camping out or tailgating nearby that the gates are officially open.
9. Winning from the Very Back
It is incredibly difficult to win the Indy 500 if you don't start near the front, but it's not impossible. Twice in history, a driver has won from the 28th starting position (out of 33 cars): Ray Harroun in the very first race in 1911, and Louis Meyer in 1936.
10. The Exclusive Four-Time Winners Club
Winning the Indy 500 once is a career-defining achievement, but only four drivers in history have managed to win it four times:
* A.J. Foyt
* Al Unser Sr.
* Rick Mears
* Helio Castroneves
Turn 4 at IMS is especially legendary, as all four of these iconic drivers have taken the checkered flag to cement their status in racing history!
Extra fun fact:
Because the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is so massive (you could fit the Roman Colosseum, Vatican City, Wimbledon, the Rose Bowl, and Yankee Stadium inside the infield simultaneously), having video boards is absolutely crucial for following the race.
