The first Indy 500 in addition to being a very historical event, also was a very interesting one.  The following are a few unique and sometimes little known facts concerning the 1911 Indianapolis 500.  For even further information on the 1911 Indianapolis 500, please consider purchasing your own copy of the book Fastest of the First; to learn how see the Ordering Information page.  In the image to the left, Fred Belcher in the No. 15 Knox makes a pit stop during the race.

• The race winning No. 32 Marmon "Wasp" was the only single-seat car in the race.
• Fred Belcher and his team's consumption of milk during the first Indianapolis 500 may have been the first use of that now-ceremonial beverage at the Indianapolis 500.
• Louis Disbrow, driver of the No. 5 Pope-Hartford, drove with a lucky raccoon's foot on the dash of his car.
• Fred Fox, who drove the No. 6 Pope-Hartford, had a prosthetic leg.
• The use of a rear-view mirror on the No. 32 Marmon is believed to be the first ever use of that device.
• Ralph Mulford, who finished second in the No. 33 Lozier, liked to carry a bag of gumdrops with him as he drove.
• Race winner Ray Harroun originally was trained as a dental technician, and had retired from racing prior to coming out of retirement for the 1911 Indianapolis 500.
• Some of the drivers like David Bruce-Brown used masks over their heads to protect their faces from oil, dirt, and smoke during the race.
• Fred Belcher in the No. 15 Knox drove the fastest laps of the race.
• Ray Harroun drove with a hot water bottle in the seat of his No. 32 Marmon.
• The 1911 Indianapolis 500 was the first time a "pace car" had ever been used to start an automobile race.
• Eddie Rickenbacker, who later owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1927-1945, was one of the drivers of the No. 30 Firestone-Columbus car during the 1911 Indianapolis 500.