Cleary Creative Photography
Indianapolis 500: Then and Now
From Brickyard Beginnings to Racing Legends: How Early Races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Paved the Way for the Iconic Indianapolis 500
Dan Cleary's Indianapolis 500 Then and Now photographs use historic images of the early races layered with current-day pictures he took at the track.
Waiting For The 1910 Race
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Before the famed Indianapolis 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted a series of auto races in 1909 and 1910 that set the stage for the legendary event. The first race at the Speedway took place on August 19, 1909, featuring a series of short sprints rather than a single long-distance event. The newly constructed track, made of crushed stone and tar, proved hazardous, leading to numerous accidents and a significant overhaul. By 1910, the surface was replaced with over three million bricks, earning the Speedway its iconic nickname, “The Brickyard.”
Lineup For The 1911 500 Mile Race
The roar of engines and the smell of gasoline filled the air on May 30, 1911, as the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race commenced. The event, conceived by Carl G. Fisher, was held at the newly constructed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a grand 2.5-mile oval track that promised to test the limits of both man and machine. Thirty-three daring drivers took their positions, piloting a diverse array of vehicles, each a testament to the early ingenuity and competitive spirit of automotive pioneers. .
Annual 500 Mile International Sweepstakes
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The early years of the Indianapolis 500 were marked by a sense of adventure and a willingness to embrace the unknown. The race attracted inventors, entrepreneurs, and thrill-seekers alike, each hoping to etch their names into the annals of automotive history. Spectators flocked to the Speedway, captivated by the spectacle of machines hurtling around the track and the palpable tension of close competition. The Indianapolis 500 quickly became a revered annual event, showcasing car design and engineering advancements. It was not merely a race but a proving ground for the burgeoning automotive industry, setting the stage for innovations that would shape the future of transportation.
Dan's Photographs Look Like Paintings
When people look at Dan Cleary’s photographs, they always say, “Are they paintings or photographs?” Dan uses his artistic abilities to enhance each of his photographs to the quality of his paintings.
The Pagoda
The Scoring Pylon
Dan Cleary is a professional photographer, artist, author, and teacher in Dayton, Ohio. You can see more of his City of Indianapolis photographs on his web page at ClearyFineartPhoto.com/IndianapolisFineArtPhotographs. He has also created a series of photographs, Wright Brothers: Then and Now, and published a book by the same name. His book is available online at Amazon, The Wright Brothers National Monument in North Carolina, and the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio.