On This Day In History: First Indy 500

On this day in history: May 30, 1911 on 12seconds.tv and YouTube

Thirteen laps into the race, a multi-car accident occurred on the main straightaway, right in front of the scoring stand. Fisher’s friends had volunteered to score the race, but many scurried out of the way when the cars crashed near them. For several laps, no one was scoring the action. It would be the Speedway’s first scoring controversy and eventual runner-up Ralph Mulford went to his grave believing he had been the first “500″ winner.

However, that honor went to Ray Harroun, who drove the only single-seat car in the race, the Marmon Wasp, which he designed. The Indianapolis-based Nordyke and Marmon Company employed Harroun as an engineer. He made a reputation for himself as a driver, winning the 1910 AAA national championship. Marmon also entered a more conventional two- seater, but it was Harroun’s car which attracted the most attention. Because one of the duties of the riding mechanic was to warn of other cars passing. Harroun devised a four-posted rear-view mirror and everyone seemed satisfied.

Ironically, Harroun later recalled “the thing vibrated so much, I couldn’t see out of it anyway.”

For a complete history of the Indy 500, and the source for the above text, see The Indianapolis Star’s multi-section feature.

Similar Posts:

• On This Day In History: First Triple Crown
• On This Day In History: Solemn Rememberance
• On This Day In History: No Good Nero
• On This Day In History: Freaky Falling Frozen Frogs
• On This Day In History: Movable Type For The Masses