WASHINGTON, May 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090226/CENSUSLOGO)
SUNDAY, MAY 29: INDIANAPOLIS 500 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Profile America -- Sunday, May 29th. One of America's premier sporting events will be held today -- the Indianapolis 500 auto race. And tomorrow will mark the 100th anniversary of the first Indy 500 in 1911. At that time, the 2-1/2 mile banked oval was paved with bricks, leading to its lasting nickname as "The Brickyard." The first 500-mile race was won by Ray Harroun, driving a Marmon, who averaged almost 75 miles an hour. Last year's winning speed was just under 162 miles an hour. When the first Indy 500-mile race was held, horses outnumbered cars by more than 30-to-1, but auto racing had already captured the public's attention. Now, more than 35 million Americans attend auto racing events each year. Profile America is beginning its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p. 294
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 716
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 1245
Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau
