The first (and oldest) automobile race in America, the Indianapolis 500 has run every non-World War year since 1911, and has established itself as a piece of American history. From the moment the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened for business on August 19, 1909, the 2.5-mile oval in America’s heartland has been the testing surface for most of today’s automobile manufacturers. In fact, the first 500-mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911 (called “International Sweepstakes”) saw the first automobile ever to make use of the rearview mirror Since then, the Indy 500 has tested everything from improved gas-tanks through safety belts, and has contributed to both war and peace-time military advancement. Without its presence, America would be a different country, absent amazing discovery, and memorable entertainment, alike.