10 cool facts about Indianapolis 500 history and the race traditions that surround it

Indianapolis Star

Ever wonder why the Indy 500 winner drinks milk at the end of the race? Or how the tradition of kissing the "Yard of Bricks" started? Here's a rundown of all the Indy 500 history that make "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

1. Why is the Indy 500 called 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing'?

It was Alice Greene, a young copywriter for WIBC radio, who coined the phrase "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" in 1954.

It was then made famous by legendary Indy 500 voice, Sid Collins.

2. Why does the Indy 500 winner drink milk?

In 1936, Louis Meyer, parched from a long, hot race, asks for buttermilk in Victory Lane. A dairy executive saw a picture and a new tradition was born. Emerson Fittipaldi broke with tradition by drinking orange juice, his drink of choice as the owner of a 500,000-acre Brazilian orange grove. Fans were not amused. He appeased the crowd with a milk chaser.

3. What flowers are in the Indy 500 Winner's Wreath?

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) of Japan pours milk on his face after winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 23, 2020.

When a wreath was placed around the neck of 1960 Indianapolis 500 winner Jim Rathmann in 1960, it started a tradition that continues to this day. The wreath is made of 33 ivory colored Cymbidium orchids with burgundy tips and 33 miniature flags.

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4. What is the history of the 'Yard of Bricks'?

The speedway surface was paved with 3.2 million street-paving bricks in 1909. In the 1930s, portions of the track were repaved with an asphalt-concrete material. In 1961, the remaining brick sections of the track were paved over with asphalt, with the exception of a three-foot-wide "Yard of Bricks" at the start-finish line.

5. When did Indy 500 winners start kissing the bricks?

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (30) and team co-owner David Letterman kiss the bricks after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020.

The tradition of "kissing the bricks" began in NASCAR, when Dale Jarrett won the Brickyard 400 in 1996. Jarrett and crew chief Todd Parrott knelt down to kiss the bricks as a tribute to the history of the speedway. It's been a tradition with both the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 ever since.

6. How much is the Borg-Warner trophy worth?

The sterling silver Borg-Warner trophy, introduced in 1936, has the likeness of all Indianapolis 500 winners. A larger base was created in 1987, with Bobby Rahal being the last winning driver on the original trophy. Another base was added in 2004 and will not be filled to capacity until 2034. Tom Sneva (1983) is the only winner who appears on the trophy with glasses. The only non-driver on the trophy is a 24-karat gold portrait of Tony Hulman as a tribute to his revival of the track following WWII. Since 1988, an 18-inch tall replica of the trophy, a “Baby Borg,” has been presented to the winner. The trophy is currently worth an estimated $3.5 million.

7. When did the singing of 'Back Home Again' begin?

During his last appearance at the Speedway Jim Nabors waves to fans before the 98th Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday, May 25, 2014.

The tradition of singing "Back Home Again" began with James Melton in 1946. Mel Torme, Vic Damone, Dinah Shore, Ed Ames and Dennis Morgan are among the singers who have performed it before the Indianapolis 500. Jim Nabors sang the iconic Hoosier standard nearly every year at the Indianapolis 500 from 1972 to 2014.

8. What's up with all those balloons?

IMS photographer Chris Jones stands on the top of the media center as the balloons are released behind him before the start of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 2019.

According to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony Hulman’s mother, Grace Smith Hulman, first made the suggestion for the giant balloon release. Since 1950, the release coincides with the final notes of "(Back Home Again In) Indiana." Though a fan favorite, the tradition has been facing a backlash for several years from environmentalists who say the practice endangers fish and wildlife.

The balloon release was called off for 2022, and perhaps beyond.

9. Who first said, 'Gentlemen, start your engines?'

Speedway owner Tony Hulman prepares to give the command, "Gentlemen, start your engines" from the back of the pace car before the start of the race. He took over the duty of giving the command in 1956 from the late Wilbur Shaw, the man who had talked him into buying the Speedway after World War II.

It is believed that Wilbur Shaw, as president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, first gave the command of "Gentleman, start your engines" before the 1946 race. Tony Hulman took over the duty in 1955 following the death of Wilbur Shaw.

10. When it happens, just how big is the Indy 500 Festival parade?

Indy 500 race fans line the streets of downtown Indianapolis for the annual IPL 500 Festival Parade, on Saturday, May 25, 2019.

The first 500 Festival parade in 1957 featured actress Cyd Charisse who traveled the 2-mile parade route in front of 150,000 spectators. The parade is the third largest parade in the U.S., behind the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Sadly, both the 2020 and 2021 parades were canceled due to the pandemic.