Photos of the Day: The Early Days of the Indianapolis 500

In this 1914 photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driver Rene Thomas, left, and his riding mechanic, Robert Laly, are shown on a practice day before the fourth running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind. Europeans dominated the race for the second year in a row with Rene Thomas in a Delage finishing first.

In this 1919 photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1919 Indianapolis 500 winner Howdy Wilcox and an unidentified riding mechanic are shown during a practice day for the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind.

In this 1921 photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tommy Milton sits in the driver seat of his race car during a practice day for the 1921 Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind. Milton won the 1921 race. His riding mechanic on race day was Henry Franck, standing at left. The person at left center with cigar in mouth is Louis Chevrolet. The tall person third from right is race driver CW Van Ranst.

In this May 30, 1914, photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the wrecked car of Ray Gihooley sits on the grass near turn 2 during the fourth running of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind.

In this May 30, 1921, photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tommy Milton is shown in the drivers seat celebrating his victory in the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind. Milton’s riding mechanic sits at left holding a glass.

In this 1922 photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, race driver Jimmy Murphy, seated right, and riding mechanic Ernie Olson pose during a practice day for the 10th Indy 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind. Murphy, with riding mechanic Olson, won the 1922 race.

In this May 30, 1923, photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, racers are shown before the start of the 11th Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind.

This May 30, 1922, photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, shows Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the start of the 10th Indianapolis 500 auto race, in Indianapolis, Ind.

In this May 31, 1919, photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, race cars line up, with the pace car in the foreground, before the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind.