Indy 500 Trivia Quiz Questions
Content HereThe 1913 Indy 500 event saw a change to what
maximum engine size?
A: 450 cu in (7,400 cc).
What marching band began performing on the track
near the finish-line in 1927?
A: Purdue All-American Marching Band.
In 1946 American operatic tenor and car
enthusiast James Melton started what tradition?
A: Singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" with the
Purdue Band before the race.
This tradition has continued through the years,
notably by what actor and singer?
A: Jim Nabors from 1972 until 2014.
What did Nabors announce in 2014?
A: That the 2014 Indy 500 would be the last at
which he would sing.
In 2015, what group sang the song before the
race?
A: The acappella group Straight No Chaser.
What were engine sizes were limited to during
1920–1922?
A: 183 cu in.
What about for 1923–1925?
A: 122 cu.
What was the maximum size for 1926–1929?
A: 91 cu in.
What driver won the 1920 race?
A: Gaston Chevrolet in a Frontenac.
Who prepared his car?
A: His brothers.
The car was powered by the first what?
A: Eight-cylinder engine to win the 500.
For 1923, what were no longer required?
A: Riding mechanics.
In what year did the first supercharged car, ID,
win the race?
A: In 1924.
In 1925, Pete DePaolo was the first to win at an
average over 100 mph with a speed of what?
A: 101.13 mph.
After purchasing the Speedway in 1927, Eddie
Rickenbacker prohibited what?
A: Supercharging.
In 1935, Fred Offenhauser and Leo Goosen, had
already achieved their first win with the
soon-to-become famous what?
A: 4-cylinder Offenhauser or "Offy" engine.
Who became the first driver to win consecutively
at Indianapolis in 1939–1940?
A: Wilbur Shaw.
In 1963, technical innovator Colin Chapman
brought his Team Lotus to Indianapolis for the
first time, attracted by what?
A: The large monetary prizes.
Scotsman Jim Clark came in what place in his
first attempt in 1963?
A: Second.
In 1964 he was dominating the race until what
happened on lap 47?
AL He suffered suspension failure.
Ford V8 its first success at the race in what
year?
A: In 1965.
In 1966, what British man won?
A: Graham Hill in a Lola-Ford.
When was the Offy engines final appearance at
the race?
A: 1983.
Starting in 1978, most chassis and engines were
what?
A: European.
In 2009, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began a
three-year-long "what"?
A: "Centennial Era".
Female participation of any sort at Indianapolis
was handled how throughout the first several
decades of competition?
A: Discouraged and essentially banned.
Female reporters were not even allowed in the
pit area until what year?
A: 1971.
How many female drivers have qualified for the
race?
A: Nine.
Who was the first female driver to qualify?
A: Janet Guthrie.
What year did Janet Guthrie qualify for the
race?
A: 1977.
How many times has Sarah Fisher competed?
A: Nine times, the most of any woman.
Danica Patrick led for how many laps in the 2005
race?
A: 19.
In the 2011 race how many laps did she lead for?
A: 10.
In the 2009 race how did she place?
A: Third place, the best finish for a woman.