IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 738 

Commemorating ‘‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’’, the 100th running 

of the Indianapolis 500, and recognizing the groundbreaking impact 

the race has had on the Nation and the sport of automobile racing. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 18, 2016 

Mr. CARSON of Indiana (for himself, Mr. VISCLOSKY, Mrs. WALORSKI, Mr. 

STUTZMAN, Mr. ROKITA, Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana, Mr. MESSER, Mr. 

BUCSHON, and Mr. YOUNG of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 

Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating ‘‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’’, the 

100th running of the Indianapolis 500, and recognizing 

the groundbreaking impact the race has had on the Nation and the sport of automobile racing. 

Whereas, on Sunday, May 29, 2016, the Indianapolis 500 

will mark its 100th running; 

Whereas the first Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30, 

1911, when engineer Ray Harroun drove his single-seater 

Marmon Wasp to victory, winning the race at an average 

speed of 74 miles per hour in 6 hours and 42 minutes; 

Whereas an estimated 80,000 spectators turned out for the 

first Indianapolis 500; 


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•HRES 738 IH 

Whereas the Indianapolis 500 was not run in 1917 and 1918 

during World War I, and, instead, the track was used as 

an aviation depot by the United States Military; 

Whereas in 1925, Pete DePaolo became the first driver to average more than 100 mph for 500 miles, winning at 

101.1 mph in a supercharged Duesenberg; 

Whereas the town of Speedway, Indiana, was created on July 

14, 1926, and was to be ‘‘horseless’’, reflecting its commitment to industry, transportation, and progress; 

Whereas Louis Meyer won his third Indianapolis 500 in 

1936, and established the tradition of drinking milk in 

the winner’s circle; 

Whereas the Indianapolis 500 suspended racing once again 

from 1942–1945 during the United States participation 

in World War II; 

Whereas in 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, and in 2005, 

Danica Patrick became the first female to lead the Indianapolis 500; 

Whereas in 1991, Willy T. Ribbs became the first AfricanAmerican to qualify for the Indianapolis 500; 

Whereas the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the Indianapolis 500, is estimated to have a regional economic 

impact of more than $500 million annually; 

Whereas the Indianapolis 500 attracts viewers from around 

the world with the race being broadcast to fans in nearly 

every country; and 

Whereas the Indianapolis 500 is the most attended single-day 

sporting event on Earth with estimated crowds of 

400,000 people: Now, therefore, be it 


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•HRES 738 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House— 

2 (1) commemorates the 100th running of the In3 dianapolis 500 and over a century as one of the 

4 world’s premier racing events; 

5 (2) congratulates the Indianapolis 500 for its 

6 contributions to international automobile racing; and 

7 (3) commends the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

8 and hundreds of racing teams, including the team 

9 owner, driver, team manager, and pit crew, which 

10 work together each year to conduct a world-class 

11 race that captures the attention of viewers around 

12 the world. 

Æ 


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