Serving the Newark area, and other surrounding communities of New Jersey, Premier Collision Center of Newark has one goal: to provide quality repairs and a very high level of customer service. Premier Collision Center of Newark is a fully equipped wi... Read More
Articles
How To Replace Your Computer Key And Fob
Replacing lost or broken car keys can be expensive these days. You can no longer get a cheap replacement key made at your local hardware store. Keys a...
Four Amazing Car Chase Scenes
Every movie goer loves a great, edge-of-your-seat car chase. We’ve selected four of our favorites, with clips!
Bullit (1968)
The steep-hil...
Common Sense 101: Don't Leave Food In Hot Cars
A couple went to the grocery store in the middle of a hot and humid summer and left four bags full of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as some meat ...
The Top 5 Fast And Furious Cars
In the year 2030, will we see The Fast and the Furious #25? With so many sequels and due to its box office success, The Fast and the Furious franchise...
Safety Tips For Runners And Joggers
If you run or jog for either recreation or exercise, then you need to be aware of all of the vehicles on the road. When a car, truck or motorcycle hit...
When Memorial Day comes around, we always show respect to the troops and everyone who has ever served. We also have BBQs and family gatherings and of course, we always want to watch the Indianapolis 500, the largest car race on the planet and celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
At Premier Collision Center , we appreciate cars and that's why we always enjoy watching this epic race held every year on Memorial Day. So, here are some fascinating and fun facts about the Indy 500 and its colorful history. For instance, did you know that if all of the hot dogs and sausages sold on race day were laid end-to-end, they would circle the oval more than three times? That's right!
• The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the planet's largest spectator sporting facility, with approximately 250,000 permanent seats.
• The “Brickyard” gets its name from the 3.2 million street paving bricks that were laid in 1909. Now the track is made of asphalt, but still one yard of the brickwork is visible at the start/finish line.
• Allegedly, the Yankee Stadium, Rose Bowl, Churchill Downs, Colosseum in Rome and Vatican City all can fit neatly inside the Indy oval, which is 254 acres.
• In 1936, Louis Meyer requested a bottle of buttermilk after he became the race's very first three-time winner. Since 1956, the winner traditionally chugs a bottle of milk in Victory Lane, unless of course, they're lactose intolerant!
• A pre-race tradition since 1946 is the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.’’ Jim Nabors (also known as TV's “Gomer Pyle’’) was spontaneously asked to sing the tune. He had no rehearsal and had to scribble the lyrics on his hand.
• The winner is awarded the sterling silver Borg-Warner Trophy, commissioned in 1935 at a cost of $10,000. Today, it is worth an estimated $1 million.
• On May 30, 1911, the first Indy 500 (originally called the “International Sweepstakes’’) was won by Ray Harroun, with an average speed of 72 mph.
• The race consists of 200 laps over a 2.5-mile circuit. Only two drivers have lost the lead on its final lap — Robby Gordon in 1999 and Marco Andretti seven years later.
• Al Unser Sr. has led more laps in the history of the race- 644.
• In 1977, Tom Sneva became the first driver at the Speedway to turn a lap at more than 200 mph.
• Sadly, 124 drivers have lost their lives at the Indy 500, including Bill Vukovich in 1955, who was attempting to capture his third straight victory.
So, hopefully the next time you watch the Indy 500, you will reflect on the history and lore of this iconic American race, whether you're celebrating Memorial Day here in Newark, NJ or anywhere else in the USA. Because race and non-race fans will always get that rush when they hear those famous words, "Drivers, start your engines!"
Sources: Car Lust, Wheels and Forbes
Body Shop Specials
Body Shop Photos
Body Shop Videos
Body Shop About
Body Shop Contact
Body Shop Cs Thanks
Body Shop Apt Thanks
Body Shop How It Works
Body Shop Listen
Body Shop Review Sort
Body Shop Certifications
We use cookies to personalise content and ads and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of other services.
Social