INDIANAPOLIS -- The first Indianapolis Zoo opened to the public on April 18, 1964 in Washington Park - admission was just 25 cents.
More than 250,000 people visit the zoo in its first year, many greeted at the front by AJ the tortoise, named for IndyCar driver AJ Foyt (definitely the faster of the pair).
Foyt goes for his second Indy 500 win in 1964, and for the first time not one car in the field has a carburetor.
Also new to the track: A safety cable was installed along the outer edge of the track, but the race is marred by tragedy.
On just the second lap, driver Dave MacDonald crashes into a retaining wall and it triggers a massive fireball. Eddie Sachs is involved in the crash as well and both he and MacDonald die as a result of their injuries.
It's the first time an accident stops the Indy 500.
When the race resumes, Foyt leads the final 146 laps and cruises to his second Indy 500 win at an average speed of 147.350 miles per hour, all without changing tires once.
In a race of firsts, it was the last time the winning driver was behind the wheel of a Roadster.
MORE ON THE ROAD TO 100
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|1948 | 1947 | 1946 | 1941 | 1940 | 1939 | 1938 | 1937 | 1936 | 1935 | 1934 | 1933 | 1932 | 1931 | 1930 | 1929 | 1928 |
1927 | 1926 | 1925 | 1924 | 1923 | 1922 | 1921 | 1920 | 1919 | 1916 | 1915 | 1914 | 1913 | 1912 | 1911 | Special Section: Road to 100 | Enter to win tickets to the Indy 500 | Start your engines: 100 stories in 100 days
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