Fingers flying across 88 keys and drivers flying around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you could find both in Indianapolis in May 1936.
Butler University hosted what was considered the world's largest piano recital. Instead of basketballs and athletes, 125 pianos filled the fieldhouse court along with 825 pianists.
The tune at the track included new rules and new traditions.
In an effort to improve safety, rookies now had to pass a driving test, and the grueling 500 mile race was made even more challenging with a new restriction on fuel. -- only 37.5 gallons for the whole distance.
Many drivers wound up running out short of the finish line, but not Louis Meyer,
The former champ had his eyes on a becoming the race's first three-time winner, and he succeeded,
When he pulled the Number 8 car into victory lane, new traditions were born. He was the first winning driver to receive a pace car, a Packard that year. The Borg-Warner Trophy debuted, and right after the race, Meyer took a swig of buttermilk.
It caught on, winner's still drink milk.
MORE ON THE ROAD TO 100
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