Source: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 26: Simon Pagenaud of France, driver of the #22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet races Alexander Rossi of the United States, driver of the #27 NAPA Auto Parts Andretti Autosport Honda during the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most iconic events in motorsports, steeped in tradition and pageantry.
Let’s set the record straight on some of the most common ones.
1. The Indy 500 Is Held on Memorial Day
It’s a common assumption that the Indy 500 takes place on Memorial Day itself.
In reality, the race is held on the Sunday before Memorial Day, not the Monday holiday.
It’s part of the long weekend celebrations, but never actually on Memorial Day.
2. The Indy 500 Is a NASCAR Race
This is one of the most frequent mix-ups.
The Indy 500 is part of the IndyCar Series, which features open-wheel, single-seat cars—very different from the stock cars used in NASCAR.
While both are beloved by race fans, they are completely different styles of racing.
3. The Milk Tradition Was Random
Every year, the winner of the Indy 500 drinks milk in Victory Lane.
Some believe this quirky tradition started just for fun, but it actually began in 1936, when three-time winner Louis Meyer requested buttermilk after his victory.
A milk industry executive saw a photo of it and turned it into a sponsored tradition that’s now a defining image of the race.
4. The Race Takes Place in Indianapolis
While the name implies it’s in the city proper, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is actually located in a town called Speedway, Indiana.
It’s a small community completely surrounded by Indianapolis but is technically its own municipality.
5. Winners Get to Keep the Borg-Warner Trophy
The Borg-Warner Trophy, with its iconic faces of past champions, is one of the most famous trophies in sports.
But the winner doesn’t take it home.
Instead, they receive a smaller version, affectionately called the “Baby Borg,” while the real trophy remains on display at the Speedway.
6. “Back Home Again in Indiana” Is the National Anthem
Many fans associate “Back Home Again in Indiana” with the pre-race ceremonies, but it’s not the national anthem.
It’s a separate tradition, performed before the national anthem, as a tribute to the state and the deep local pride tied to the event.
