Night before the 500
Venue | Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis |
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Location |
Brownsburg, Indiana 39°48′46″N 86°20′27″W / 39.81278°N 86.34083°WCoordinates: 39°48′46″N 86°20′27″W / 39.81278°N 86.34083°W |
First race | 1946 |
Most wins (driver) |
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Circuit information | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
Turns | 4 |
Lap record | 0:19.581 (Mark Smith, Ralt RT5, 1989, Formula Super Vee) |
The Night before the 500 (also called the Day before the 500) is an annual autosport event in the state of Indiana. It occurs the night before every Indianapolis 500 race. It is one of the Indianapolis 500 traditions.
History

The first Night before the 500 event was held at the 16th Street Speedway. The headline event was a double feature with USAC midget cars. The feature races were won by Leroy Warriner and Benny Emerick. In the following decades the event switched between local short courses in the state of Indiana. After leaving 16th Street Speedway, Kokomo Speedway, Indianapolis Speedrome, Indianapolis Raceway Park and the Indiana State Fairgrounds were used. As of 1980 the Indianapolis Raceway Park is the location for this prestigious event.
Various racing series supported the midget race. Formula Super Vee ran at the oval for five races. Mark Smith won the race in 1989. His fastest lap of 0:19.581 is still the current track record. For a number of years USF2000 and Star Mazda supported the series.
As of 2010 the Road to Indy USF2000 and Pro Mazda series run with the headline USAC Silver Crown Series.
Race winners
Year | USAC Midget race | ||
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1946 | ![]() | ||
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1947 | ![]() | ||
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1948 | ![]() | ||
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1949 | ![]() | ||
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1950 | ![]() | ||
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1951 | not run | ||
1952 | ![]() | ||
1953 | ![]() | ||
1954 | ![]() | ||
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1955 | ![]() | ||
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1956 | ![]() | ||
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1957 | ![]() | ||
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1958 | ![]() | ||
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1959 | ![]() | ||
1960 | ![]() | ||
1961 | ![]() | ||
1962 | ![]() | ||
1963 | ![]() | ||
1964 | ![]() | ||
1965 | ![]() | ||
1966 | ![]() | ||
1967 | ![]() | ||
1968 | rained out | ||
1969 | ![]() | ||
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1970 | ![]() | ||
1971 | ![]() | ||
1972 | ![]() | ||
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1973 | rained out | ||
1974 | ![]() | ||
1975 | ![]() | ||
1976 | ![]() | ||
1977 | ![]() | ||
1978 | ![]() | ||
1979 | ![]() | ||
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1980 | ![]() | ||
1981 | ![]() | ||
1982 | rained out | ||
1983 | ![]() | ||
1984 | ![]() | ||
1985 | ![]() | ||
Formula Super Vee | |||
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1986 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1987 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1988 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1989 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1990 | ![]() | ||
1991 | ![]() | ||
1992 | ![]() | ||
USF2000 | |||
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1993 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1994 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1995 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1996 | ![]() | ![]() | |
1997 | ![]() | not run | |
1998 | ![]() | not run | |
Pro Mazda | |||
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1999 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2000 | ![]() | ![]() | not run |
2001 | ![]() | ![]() | not run |
2002 | ![]() | ![]() | not run |
2003 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2004 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2005 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2006 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2007 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2008 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2009 | ![]() | not run | not run |
2010 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
2011 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
2012 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
2013 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
2014 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
2015 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
References
- ↑ "Midget Racing All-time records 1933-2013". Midget National Driver of the Year. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
- ↑ "Driver Career Stats". USF2000. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
- ↑ "American Formula Super Vee Championship (1971-1990)". Motorsport Winners. Retrieved 11 February 2016.