For current information on this topic, see 2008 Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis 500

Venue	Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Corporate sponsor	none
First race	1911
First IndyCar race	1996
Distance	500 miles
Number of laps	200
Previous names	International 500-Mile Sweepstakes (1911–1915) International 300-Mile Sweepstakes (1916) Liberty Sweepstakes (1919) International 500-Mile Sweepstakes (1920–1941, 1946–1979)

The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500," is an American automobile race, held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The event lends its name to the IndyCar class of formula, or open-wheel, race cars that have competed in it.

The event, billed as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", is one of the oldest motorsport events, and is considered one of the three most significant motor racing events in the world. While the official attendance is not disclosed by Speedway management, with a permanent seating capacity for more than 257,000 people and infield seating that raises capacity to an approximate 400,000 it is the largest single-day event in the world.^[1]

The race has been broadcast live on radio by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network since 1952. It was televised live from 1949-1950 on WFBM-TV. From 1965-1985, ABC Sports broadcast the race via tape delay. Since 1986, ABC has televised the race live flag-to-flag (although live coverage is blacked out in the Indianapolis market). In 2007, the race was first broadcast in HD.

The 92^nd running is scheduled for Sunday May 25, 2008. It will mark the 63^rd consecutive year of uninterrupted occurrence.