WHAT: 87th Indianapolis 500.
WHEN: Sunday, May 25th, noon EDT.
WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana
AUDIENCE: 400,000 attend the race, tens of millions watch it live on TV.
CARS: Single-seat, open-wheel, rear-engine vehicles capable of speeds in excess of 240 mph
HISTORY: The first Indy 500 was held on a brick surface in 1911. Except for a break during World War II, cars have raced every year on the same track since then.
TRADITIONS: Held annually on Memorial Day weekend; 33 cars line up three abreast for a flying start; the winner drinks a glass of milk.
CONTRIBUTIONS: Many developments in passenger automobiles - like the rear-view mirror and seat belts - were first used in the Indy 500.
HONDA NOTES: This is Honda's first Indy 500 since 1995; Honda has four starters in the first two rows, including Tony Kanaan and Robby Gordon on the front row.