05/19/61 Drivers will compete in golden anniversary race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

5543 FROM AL BLOEMKER INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY IMMEDIATE RELEASE GOLDEN 500 AT INDIANAPOLIS LENGTH: 70 Ft. TIME: 1 Min. 56 Secs. SOUND ON FILM VIDEO TIME AUDIO Anncr live OC 5 Secs. (ANNCR OC) The worlds auto racing fans are turning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ROLL FILM 3 scenes of cars racing past grandstand. 13 Secs. (SOE)(SOUND EFFECTS OF 500 MILE RACE) (ANNCR SOF) On Memorial Day, 33 drivers will compete for glory and cash in the Golden Anniversary, 500-mile race at the historic speed bowl. General pit scenes and time trial. 9 Secs. In these last few days before May 30th, Americas top racers are tuning their powerful cars and putting in final practice spins. Crowd and pageantry scenes. Beauty queen and officials. 9 Secs. And the fans have been watching these pre-race activities since the first of May. Much pageantry goes along with the practice and qualifying runs. Racing activity in pit area in front of stands. 7 Secs. For in Indiana, the 500-mile race is to Hoosiers what the Kentucky Derby is to the Blue Grass country. Race car being started and entering track. 10 Secs. This smooth track and todays Indianapolis speeds are a far cry from the first race on the Motor Speedway just 50 years ago. General race scene and spectator. 7 Secs. In 1911, Ray Harroun burned the old brick track in his Marmon Wasp at 74 miles an hour to win the first 500. Four general race scenes. 23 Secs. And every year, the chase gets faster. Last year, Rookie Jim Hurtubise turned a record 2-1/2-mile lap at nearly 150 miles an hour. So, in the Golden 500 May the 30th, the field of 33 racers will be shooting for Jim Rathmanns winning record of 138 and seven-tenths miles an hour set a year ago. -2- Time trial, cut to CU of Sachs in his car. 12 Secs. The 1961 pole position is all decided. Eddie Sachs will be riding there at the start as a reward for his best time of 147 and four-tenths an hour May 13th. Pace car practicing on track. (2 scenes) 11 Secs. Even this years pace car driver must practice to lead the 33 racers roaring down to the starting line at a 90-mile-an-hour clip on the Big Day. Head-on scene of racers, cut to Hulman in pace car, cut to actual start of race.(3 scenes) 12 Secs. Here is how it will look to Speedway President Tony Hulman from the pace car as they line up. The pace car dashes for safety and --THEYRE OFF! (SOUND EFFECTS OF START OF RACE.)

Added 7 Apr 2026