The Indy 500 is back! An automobile race that is annually held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, an enclave suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana.

It is contested as part of the Verizon IndyCar Series, the top level of American Championship Car racing, an open-wheel formula commonly known as "Indy Car Racing".

Here are the 5 things you didn't know about the race:

1.    What's an Indycar?

IndyCar is America's major open-wheel series.

IndyCars are not Formula One cars, though they look a similar. The difference is additional structure guarding the rear wheel to prevent cars from riding up on other cars' tires. 

The speciality of these cars is they run on everything: road courses, street courses, and ovals.

2.    Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speciality!

It is a loud, noisy speed way that neighbours the nearby homeowners' yards. A classic, historic venue that operates with full, loving support from its city-something that's become all too rare in this era of funding woes and insufferable NIMBY neighbors. 

3.   What's that 500?

It's a race of 500-mile, 200 lap on a 2.5-mile asphalt-topped oval.

Its one driver per car for the whole 500-first one to the finish wins.

Driving 500 miles in crazy open-wheel racers with no power steering is a monumental feat. Indianapolis has established its worldwide importance. 

4.   Time

The race starts just after noon Eastern time on Sunday. The Indianapolis 500 is a massive two-week spectacular.

Saturday is full of concerts, some historic race car laps, the race parade and more prep work by the teams.

5.   Cars

These cars have Dallara IR-12 chassis unlike the other race cars. In practice seasons Cars reached speeds of over 240 mph.

Two manufacturers-Honda and Chevrolet-supply V6 turbo engines for the series, and each manufacturer has an "aero kit" of various wings, flaps and other aerodynamic devices teams can set up to their will.