The Brickyard – LIFE AS A HUMAN

Thermopylae had its 300, Indianapolis has its 500. And the latter is still going strong.

The Indianapolis 500 has been held every year since 1911, except for 1917-18 and 1942- 45, when the U.S. was embroiled in the two world wars. Though best known for the Indy 500, the first motorized race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) was a motorcycle event on August 14, 1909. The first Indy 500 occurred on May 30, 2011 with Ray Harroun winning the race at an average of 74.602 miles per hour and earning $50,000. Both astounding numbers for that era.

Cars pass the Pagoda during the Indy 500 © Mark Edward Harris

Cars pass the finish line and the famed “pagoda” during the 98th running of the Indy 500 in 2014.

The IMS, affectionately known as “The Brickyard” for the material which once surfaced the track, also hosts NASCAR, Moto GP, and Grand Prix races in addition to the 500. It’s estimated that during the month of May (when the Indy 500 takes place) the famed race brings in $336 million of economic impact to the city of 845,000. Part of this money comes from the more than 15,000 gallons of beer and five tons of burgers consumed at the track on race day.

Cars Coming Out of Turn 4 at the Indy 500 © Mark Edward Harris

Cars come out of turn 4 during the 98th running of the Indy 500 in 2014.

It is the world’s most watched single day sporting event with television broadcast to 213 countries, reaching over 292 million viewers. The 100th running of the 500 will take place in 2016.

A motorcycle makes it around the course at the 2014 running of the Moto Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Mark Edward Harris Photographer Bio

Mark Edward Harris has traveled and photographed in more than 85 countries. His editorial work has appeared in publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Afar, GEO, Islands, Vogue, Wallpaper, Harpers Bazaar, Playboy, Life, and the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine. His commercial clients range from The Gap to Coca-Cola to Mexicana Airlines. His books include Faces of the Twentieth Century: Master Photographers and Their Work, The Way of the Japanese Bath, Wanderlust, North Korea, South Korea and Inside Iran. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a CLIO, ACE, Aurora Gold, IPA, and Photographer of the Year at the Black & White Spider Awards. North Korea was named Book of the Year at the 2013 International Photography Awards.