Everything you need to know about the 2026 Indiana...
Key takeaways
- The Indianapolis 500 invented most of what you know about auto racing, not to mention the car sitting in your driveway.
- So, what does one need to know before watching the race that we just told you that you must watch to prove your loyalty to our nation?
- OK, it's car No. 10, but the man behind the wheel, Álex Palou, is having a stretch of success that the IndyCar world has rarely seen.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski Ryan Mc Gee May 22, 2026, 06:47 AM ETClose Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com 2-time Sports Emmy winner 2010, 2014 NMPA Writer of the Year Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- As summer arrives and we move one lap closer to July's celebration of the United States' 250th birthday celebration, there will no doubt be a nationwide inventory of "Most American" lists. And any list of Most American Sporting Events must include the annual open-wheel motorsports sweepstakes event that will take the green flag for its 110th edition on Sunday.
The Indianapolis 500 invented most of what you know about auto racing, not to mention the car sitting in your driveway. From "Drivers, start your engines!" to the rearview mirror, which debuted on the car of the winner of the very first 500 in 1911, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is also one of the bucket list events that should be experienced by every American. Not American sports fan. American.
So, what does one need to know before watching the race that we just told you that you must watch to prove your loyalty to our nation? Please place your hand over your American heart and read on as we present our annual Indy 500 Preview To Make You Sound Super Smart On Race Day.