before impact. and on this day in 1909, race car drivers first hit the track at the indianapolis motor speedway. now, home to the famous indy 500. 1909. a local businessman actually hatched the idea for the racetrack. apparently he thought it would be a good place to test out and promote new cars from indiana s budding auto industry. crews initially built this two and a half mile loop. using a mixture of crushed rock and tar. and would you look at the vehicles. the rough surface triggered some deadly crashes in the opening event. workers would soon replace the broken asphalt with bricks. and the short distance races would eventually grow into a 500-mile high speed endurance event. gentlemen first started their engines 104 years ago today. and now you know the news, for this monday, august the