Highlights from the 24th running of the Indianapolis 500

RACE: 24th Indianapolis 500

DATE: May 30, 1936

WINNER: Louis Meyer

AVERAGE SPEED: 109.069 mph

WHAT HAPPENED: On a historic day at the 2.5-mile oval, Meyer becomes the first three-time winner of the race. He smashes the previous speed mark by almost 3 mph and ties Ray Harroun's record by winning from the No. 28 starting spot. It wasn't even close: Meyer won by 2 minutes, 17.15 seconds and led for 96 of the last 111 laps. He also celebrated by drinking buttermilk, starting one of the best-known traditions in sports.

NOTABLE: The Borg-Warner Trophy made its debut in 1936. Ted Horn finished second, the first of nine consecutive top-10 finishes in the 500, though he never won. Future two-time winner Mauri Rose finished fourth using a four-wheel drive car. New safety measures included asphalt on some parts of the track and a requirement all rookies had to pass a test before driving.