100 mph Club

During its heyday, it was considered one of the most prestigious honors in motorsports (the Indy car counterpart to NASCAR's famous Darlington Record Club), and membership was highly sought after by drivers.

In doing so, Evans had become the twelfth driver in history to complete the full 500 miles solo, at an average speed of over 100 mph.

Immediately deWitt envisioned an idea to create an honorary "club" for the drivers who had accomplished the noteworthy feat.

The first member retroactively being Billy Arnold, along with Fred Frame, Howdy Wilcox II, Cliff Bergere, Bob Carey, Russ Snowberger, Louis Meyer, Chet Gardner, Wilbur Shaw, Lou Moore, Stubby Stubblefield, and Dave Evans.

A driver was required to complete the Indianapolis 500 at an average speed of 100 mph or faster, driving the entire race without any relief help.

Rain-shortened races, or drivers that were flagged off the track before completing all 200 laps (even if their average speed was over 100 mph at the time) would not qualify.

Prior to the 1960s, the drivers were permitted ample time to complete the full 500 mile distance, even if it meant remaining on the track for several minutes or over an hour after the winner crossed the finish line.

Around 1954, Champion formed as part of their public relations efforts, a Driver's education program geared towards teenagers and young adults.

This had the effect of substantially limiting the chances of joining the 100 mph Club, and only a handful of drivers earned the honor after 1964.

Covering the full 500 miles at an average speed of 100 mph was nay considered a noteworthy accomplishment any longer.

Most winners were finishing the race with as much as an hour and a half to spare to fulfill the 100 mph Club's qualifications.

In retrospect, the 1968 inductees (led by race winner Bobby Unser) would be the final names added to the membership.

Foyt weaved his way through the wreck to win, but officials immediately thereafter put out the red flag to stop the race.

Al Unser missed the 1969 race due to a broken leg suffered in a motorcycle crash earlier in the month.

Membership list as of June 1, 1968[5] From 1970 to 2016, a total of 108 additional drivers have unofficially joined the 100 mph Club.

Two additional drivers, Rick Mears and Michael Andretti, managed to break the 175 mph barrier from the 1991 race.