Indianapolis 500 Winners & 2011 Indy Race Info

The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, commonly known as the Indy 500, is one of the most celebrated races in American racing culture. Held annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it has become a staple of every race fans Labor Day weekend. The first race was in 1911, and the tradition has grown stronger ever since. The original prize for the event was $25,000 dollars. The past five winners of the race were: Dario Franchitti in 2010, Hélio Castroneves in 2009, Scott Dixon in 2008, Dario Franchitti in 2007, and Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006.

Dario Franchitti is a two-time Indy 500 winner. Franchitti is a Scottish born driver. In both years where he won the Indy 500, he also took home the Indy Car Championship. Hélio Castroneves, a Brazilian born driver, is the only driver on this list to have won the Indy 500 but not with the championship. Scott Dixon is a New Zealand born driver. After taking home the checkered flag at Indy, he captured the Indy Car championship. Sam Hornish Jr. is the most recent American driver to win at Indy. He also captured the championship after winning at Indianapolis.

The 2011 Indy 500 will take place on May 29th. It is being billed as the most important race in history because next season the cars will switch from their current specifications. Also unique this year is the 12:00 noon start time, which is one hour earlier than the previous five years. The time trials will be aired on Versus in the United States. Daily practice will be aired via live stream on the internet. The race itself will be aired in high definition on ABC. IMS Radio Network will broadcast live across the country through its 400 affiliate stations.

As the centennial race, and the last race of an era, this years Indy 500 is shaping up to be a great spectacle. It will be watchable by nearly everyone in the country on TV and radio, but it will be even more special for the 400,000 in attendance. Anyone who misses out will surely regret it.