Two departure times provide more flexibility for fans who want to commute to the track on their bike on Race Day. Read More>
This partnership represents the first time a major athlete's sponsorship has been decided by a vote using blockchain technology. Read More>
e.l.f. is believed to be the first beauty brand to serve as a primary sponsor for an entry in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” as Legge will drive the No. 51 e.l.f. Honda on Sunday, May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Read More>
View images from the shortened first day of the Indianapolis 500 Open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. View Photos>
View images from the once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. View Photos>
Josef Newgarden unveils the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Ticket View Photos>
On this episode of Behind the Bricks, IMS President Doug Boles truly goes behind the bricks of the IMS Museum and checks in on the renovation progress. He also gets an exclusive look at the vision of the refreshed Museum, which opens a year from this week. The Museum is a separate entity from IMS and is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Consider supporting the Museum by visiting imsmuseum.org Watch Video>
On this episode of Doug and Drivers, 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi talks his chances to win "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" again, adjusting to Arrow McLaren, getting married over the offseason and so much more. Watch Video>
On this episode of Doug and Drivers, IMS President Doug Boles sits down with four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. The modern legend discusses his historic Drive for Five, his transition to an ownership role within Meyer Shank Racing, the loss of his dear friend Gil de Ferran, and more. Watch Video>
April 19, 2018 | By Paul Kelly, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The 1957 Indianapolis 500 featured a perfect marriage of a car and driver that needed someone to believe in them. George Salih, the crew chief for 1951 “500” winner Lee Wallard, was intrigued by the design of the 1952 Cummins Diesel car and tried to convince car owners to build a vehicle featuring a four-cylinder Offenhauser engine laid on its side. Salih believed that design would provide a performance edge due to a lower center of gravity and greater aerodynamic efficiency due to less frontal area. But no owners believed in the concept enough to fund it. So Salih went heavily into debt to build the car himself.
Popular driver Sam Hanks headed into 1957 with 12 Indianapolis 500 starts under his belts but no victories, finishing second in 1956 and third in 1952 and 1953. Hanks was 42 years old in the spring of 1957, and he knew time was running out to get his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy. Hanks considered retirement after his runner-up finish in 1956. But he agreed to drive Salih’s “layover” car in 1957 despite the skepticism of other team owners. The result was magic.
Hanks qualified 13th but drove to the lead by Lap 36. He took the lead for good on Lap 135, beating Jim Rathmann to the checkered flag by 21.40 seconds at a record speed of 135.601 mph. Hanks also earned the first six-figure winner’s purse in “500” history, $103,844.
The oldest “500” winner at the time, a jubiliant Hanks announced his retirement from racing in Victory Circle in perhaps the ultimate “mic drop” in Indianapolis 500 history. He made a few more stock car starts that season but held his promise about the “500,” instead driving the Pace Car every year from 1958 through 1963. Salih’s car rolled on, though. A winning car always attracts suitors, even when unconventional, and Jimmy Bryan jumped into Salih’s “layover Offy” and won in 1958 for the car’s second consecutive “500” victory.