[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY AND THE INDIANAPOLIS 500

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise today as the month of May 
approaches to pay tribute to an important part of Hoosier heritage, the 
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.
  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909 to provide a 
testing ground for Indiana's burgeoning automobile industry. Indiana 
was home at the time to such names as Duessenburg, Cord, Marmon, Stutz, 
National, Cole, Auburn, and Apperson.
  The first Indianapolis 500 was run in 1911 and races have been run 
ever since. In 1917, the track backstretch was given over to the 
military for use as an aviation maintenance training center. It became 
one of the first lighted runways in the world. Races were canceled 
during the years 1917, 1918 and 1942-45 out of respect for the war 
effort. Since those early days, the race has grown to become a rite of 
spring for millions of Americans, attracting the world's largest 1-day 
sporting event crowd, as well as an immense broadcast audience.
  Indianapolis is the home of the IndyCar racing industry, and the 
month of May is an especially dynamic time in our State. As race season 
begins, it is appropriate that we honor this uniquely American event 
and all those who have made it possible. In particular, we take pride 
in honoring the memory and vision of Tony Hulman, Jr.; the steadfast 
service of his wife, Mary Fendrich Hulman; and their daughter, Mari 
Hulman George; as well as the strong leadership of Indianapolis Motor 
Speedway president Anton H. George, who personifies the very future of 
IndyCar racing.

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