History of the Indy 500

If you live in Indiana, you know the phrase, “Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!” These classic and nostalgic words ring throughout my memory from years of listening to the Indianapolis 500 on my little stereo, hearing the roar of the engines as they burst to life, and the buzz and hum of the Indy 500 season coming to a head! 

Oh, those speeds were so fast, and the cars sounded like big bees swarming around the hot track. The noise is not to be taken for granted, because there is no other sound like the sound of an Indy car. And the weather… How many rain delays or caution flags will there be this year? And we can’t forget, “Back Home Again (in Indiana)” and how it raised the skin on our arms as we waited for “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away” was sung in readying the drivers and the spectators for the flag to be dropped and the race to begin!

Here at CDPL, we can help with all your Indy 500 questions.  From the history of the race to drivers and cars, we have a little of everything.  During the month of May, come visit our second-floor book display dedicated to the Racing Capital of the World, Indianapolis, and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500. 

We have Autocourse, Official History of the Indianapolis 500 by Donald Davidson (796.72 Dav), and The Winning Cars of the Indianapolis 500 by James Reinhardt (796.72 Rei). We also have Vintage and Historic Racing Cars by Alex Gabbard (629.228 Gab) if you want to relive the cars of the past that brought so much excitement to the world’s greatest racetrack. The Indianapolis 500: A Century of Excitement by Ralph Kramer (796.7209 Kra) relives the moments in history that brought racing to the forefront of Indiana motorsports. 

For a more personal account of racing experiences, we have Blood and Smoke: A True Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and the Birth of the Indy 500 by Charles Leerhsen (796.7206 Lee) and Umbrella Mike: The True Story of the Chicago Gangster Behind the Indy 500 by Brock Yates (796.72 Yat). How’s that for excitement?  Another true tale includes Black Noon: The Year They Stopped the Indy 500 by Art Garner (796.72 Gar). 

For all the interesting details and histories of past and current race winners, you can’t miss the History of the Indy 500 display at the library.  It brings back so much nostalgia; if you live in Indiana chances are you are a race fan. If you aren’t yet, you will be after you pick up a book and race through it. 

For more information on motorsports, we have The Ultimate Race Car by David Burgess Wise (796.72 Bur) or Hello, I’m Paul Page: “It’s Race Day in Indianapolis” by Paul Page (796.72092 Pag).  And don’t forget, Speed Secrets: Professional Race Driving Techniques by Ross Bentley (796.72 Ben). At the library we have more than Indy cars, we have materials on Nascar and other types of racing as well like horse and greyhound racing too.

Whatever your memories of May may bring, remember that we are the racing capital of the world, and home to the one and only Indianapolis 500.  So come race day, listen to the songs, hear the roar of the engines, watch as they wave the green flag, then light your grill and crack open a cold beverage for the greatest spectacle in racing!

Want to check out our collection? CDPL is open Monday-Thursday from 9 AM-9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM, and on Sundays from 1 PM-5 PM.