Forever Stamp Celebrates Indianapolis 500 Centennial

The Indy 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway turns 100 this year, and to mark this occasion, no less than 50 million First-Class Mail Forever stamps have been released with the image of Ray Harroun, winner of the first Indianapolis 500, racing his Marmon “Wasp”.

Harroun beat 39 other drivers to win with a time of 6 hours, 42 minutes and 8 seconds, on May 30, 1911, in front of approximately 80,000 spectators.

The car was built by the Indianapolis-based Marmon Motor Car Company and included one of Harroun's own inventions, the rearview mirror. Today, it is a prime attraction at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

The Indianapolis 500 Forever Stamp is always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

"At the Postal Service, we understand the power of our stamps in celebrating American history and culture — in this case, the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500," said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in dedicating the stamp. "I won't be so bold as to predict the winner of the race, but I will predict that 50 or 100 years from now the U.S. Postal Service will issue another stamp to commemorate the next milestone anniversary of this great event."

Joining Donahoe in dedicating the stamp were Greg Ballard, Indianapolis mayor, Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, Duane "Poncho" Carter Jr., 1974 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, and Dave Calabro, Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcer.

"We've eagerly been awaiting this day since the United States Postal Service announced the commemorative stamp honoring the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 last December," said Belskus. "It's a great honor and an important part of our Centennial celebration that the iconic image of the Marmon 'Wasp' will be seen on mail sent from coast to coast."