The Indy 500 race is the most popular car race to this day and runs every Memorial Day. The First race was in 1911. There were no races 1917 & 1918 as well as 1942-1945 due to the war years.
The 1911 Stoddard-Dayton 50 hp Model 11 with shortened chassis (106 in) was the official pace car at the first Indy 500 race in 1911. The Driver was Carl G. Fisher. It was also the pace car in 1913 and 1914. Fischer was the Indy Motor Speedway founder and credited with the concept of a "rolling start" led by a pace car.
The pace car was used to take the starting field on one un-scored lap. The field would use the lap to warm up their engines, tires, and then at the conclusion of the lap, at a prescribed speed, the pace car would pull off the track and allow for a rolling or "flying" start.
I was fortunate to visit the Indy 500 track and the Museum a few years ago and it is worth the trip. Enjoy! Mario
 "click for bigger photo")
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Mario on May 8, 2023 said:
The 1911 Stoddard-Dayton 50 hp Model 11 with shortened chassis (106 in) was the official pace car at the first Indy 500 race in 1911. The Driver was Carl G. Fisher. It was also the pace car in 1913 and 1914. Fischer was the Indy Motor Speedway founder and credited with the concept of a "rolling start" led by a pace car.
The pace car was used to take the starting field on one unscored lap. The field would use the lap to warm up their engines, tires, and then at the conclusion of the lap, at a prescribed speed, the pace car would pull off the track and allow for a rolling or "flying" start.
The Indy 500 race is the most popular car race to this day and runs every Memorial Day. There were no races 1917 & 1918 as well as 1942-1945 due to the war years.
I was fortunate to visit the Indy 500 track and the Museum a few years ago and it is worth the trip. Enjoy! Mario
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