U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for May 29

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Following is the daily

“Profile America” feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

SUNDAY, MAY 29: INDIANAPOLIS 500 100THANNIVERSARY

Profile America — Sunday, May 29th. One of America’s premier sporting events
will be held today — the Indianapolis 500 auto race. And tomorrow will mark the
100th anniversary of the first Indy 500 in 1911. At that time, the 2-1/2 mile
banked oval was paved with bricks, leading to its lasting nickname as “The
Brickyard.” The first 500-mile race was won by Ray Harroun, driving a Marmon,
who averaged almost 75 miles an hour. Last year’s winning speed was just under
162 miles an hour. When the first Indy 500-mile race was held, horses
outnumbered cars by more than 30-to-1, but auto racing had already captured the
public’s attention. Now, more than 35 million Americans attend auto racing
events each year. Profile Americais beginning its 15th year as a public service
of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Chase’s Calendar of Events 2011, p. 294
Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 716
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 1245

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census
Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air,
on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for
“Multimedia Gallery” by the “Newsroom” button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau