| For the past 100 years, the Indianapolis Motor | | | | Company , could show the public how well its |
| Speedway has been the home for some of auto | | | | products performed. In the early to mid 1900's, |
| racing's most thrilling moments. Although the news | | | | Firestone manufactured the same tires for both the |
| has centered on the oval action, the | | | | track and the highway. The idea was to impress |
| behind-the-scenes activity has generated its own kind | | | | racing fans, who would then buy Firestone tires for |
| of excitement. In their efforts to gain the best | | | | their own vehicles. "Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday," |
| speed possible, the mechanics and engineers working | | | | became Firestone's business practice. |
| on the race cars have created innovations that have | | | | The Firestone tradition became entrenched with the |
| transitioned from Pit Row onto the highway. | | | | 1925 Speedway win by Peter DePaolo. On the new |
| In fact, the first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 1911 | | | | Firestone balloon tires, DePaolo averaged 101.13 miles |
| witnessed the initiation of the rear view mirror. At | | | | per hour without tire trouble. In fact, every one of |
| the time, a driver had an accompanying mechanic in | | | | the top ten racers had the balloon tires. Firestone's |
| the car, who would check on other drivers trailing the | | | | triumph convinced the public that the new rubber |
| car. Driver Ray Harroun had a different idea. Instead | | | | balloon tires lasted longer. Plus, the tires proved to |
| of this extra passenger, he decided he could see the | | | | provide a more comfortable ride. |
| drivers himself if a mirror was bolted onto the front | | | | The balloon tires were only the start of |
| of his car. The weight of an extra passenger would | | | | manufacturers' innovative efforts at the Indy |
| be eliminated and then decrease wind resistance and | | | | Speedway. Through the years, they continued to |
| increase the possibilities of greater speed. The idea | | | | improve tires, engines, and car bodies. Many of these |
| helped Harroun become the first Indy 500 winner. | | | | innovations were then transferred to the public's |
| Eventually the rear view mirror also sparked auto | | | | vehicles. |
| manufacturers' interest. Today, it is standard | | | | Today the racing industry is highly specialized with car |
| equipment on every car. | | | | mechanics and parts devoted strictly to the race car. |
| Generally these early races were both testing | | | | However, the practice of promoting the best that a |
| grounds for new products and promotional tools. | | | | manufacturer can offer is still an important element |
| Manufacturers, such as Firestone Rubber Tire | | | | of the Indianapolis 500 tradition. |