Indy 500 Named ‘Event of the Year’

Last year's Indy 500 was the first official sellout in IMS history. (photo courtesy Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Last year’s Indianapolis 500 has won a major honor. The SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily Wednesday announced the 100th running of the race as the 2016 Event of the Year at the annual Sports Business Awards ceremony in New York City.

The race beat other major events, including the World Series, Ryder Cup and World Cup of Hockey, among others. 

"The 100th Running was both a fitting tribute to our remarkable history and a bold move toward an even brighter future for both the Indy 500 and the Verizon IndyCar Series," said Mark Miles, chief executive officer of Hulman & Co. "It was an honor to accept last night’s award on behalf of the Hulman-George family, our entire team and the many corporate and community partners who fueled such a tremendous effort last year."

Miles says last year’s race has had a clear impact on ticket sales for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 as well as "sustained levels of engagement and interest throughout the state."

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway says the community effort supporting last year’s race played a major factor in its success. Various programs, including the 100th Running porch parties, the Bike to the 500 initiative and IMS Historian Donald Davidson’s statewide engagement tour, which has continued this year, all contributed to the historic event.

The 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 is set to take place Sunday afternoon.