Question 1

True or false: The Indianapolis 500 uses a pace car that is always a current production model from a major automaker.

Accepted Answer

True. Since 1911, the pace car has been a stock production vehicle, often a convertible, from brands like Chevrolet, Corvette, or Camaro.

Question 2

True or false: The Indianapolis 500 was originally conceived as a test of endurance for new automobile technology.

Accepted Answer

True. Carl Fisher built the track as a proving ground for cars, and the 500-mile race was designed to push vehicle reliability and speed.

Question 3

True or false: No woman has ever won the Indianapolis 500, but several have led laps.

Accepted Answer

True. Women like Janet Guthrie, Danica Patrick, and Pippa Mann have led laps, but no female driver has won the race as of 2024.

Question 4

True or false: The Borg-Warner Trophy awarded to the winner is made entirely of gold.

Accepted Answer

False. The trophy is sterling silver, not gold. It weighs about 110 pounds and features a gold-plated rendering of each winner's face.

Question 5

True or false: The Indianapolis 500 has been run every year since 1911 without interruption.

Accepted Answer

False. The race was not held during World War I in 1917–1918 and World War II in 1942–1945, breaking the streak.

Question 6

True or false: The winner of the first Indianapolis 500 drank a bottle of milk in victory lane, starting a tradition.

Accepted Answer

False. The milk tradition began in 1936 when driver Louis Meyer asked for buttermilk; the first race winner in 1911 drank water.

Question 7

True or false: In 1971, a driver completed the Indianapolis 500 with an average speed under 100 mph.

Accepted Answer

True. Heavy rain caused the 1971 race to end early at 255 miles; winner Al Unser averaged just 94.1 mph.

Question 8

True or false: Drivers must qualify for the Indianapolis 500 by averaging over 200 mph for four laps.

Accepted Answer

False. While many qualify above 200 mph, the minimum speed varies yearly; in 2023, the slowest qualifier ran about 227 mph.

Indianapolis 500 Trivia Questions