The Indianapolis 500, which took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5mile oval track, was conceived by Carl G. Fisher. Designed to test the endurance of both drivers and their machines, the inaugural race featured 40 drivers covering 200 laps for a total distance of 500 miles. Consequently pit stops were crucial to managing tyre changes, fuel refills, and mechanical adjustments.

The race saw intense competition and numerous lead changes although Ray Harroun, driving a Marmon Wasp, maintained a steady pace that balanced speed with the need to preserve his car’s integrity over the long distance. Consequently he only made four pit stops to change tyres. His car was also equipped with a rearview mirror which allowed him to race without a riding mechanic, who usually served as an extra set of eyes on the track. This gave Harroun a weight advantage and greater fuel efficiency, seeing him lead the race for a total of 88 laps.

Harroun secured victory with a time of 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 8 seconds, averaging a speed of 74.59 miles per hour. His victory has been plagued with controversy ever since as secondplace finisher Ralph K. Mulford believed he had won, but that his laps had been miscounted due to confusion arising from a major crash alongside the malfunction of the circuit’s new mechanical timing system.

Despite a number of injuries, and the tragic death of a racing mechanic, the success of the first Indianapolis 500 established the race as an annual event, which has only been interrupted as a result of the two world wars. Today it remains one of the most prestigious automobile events in the world.