#OnThisDay in 1909, the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval opened for business. Billed as the "Opening of the Famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway," the first motorized races, using motorcycles, took place in 1909. A.G. Chappel won a five-mile handicapped race on an Indian motorcycle. The two-day event was originally scheduled to begin on Aug. 13 but was rained out. The rest, as they say, is history.