The 9th International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, May 30, 1921.

His laps led record would not be matched for 66 years until Al Unser, Sr. reached it in 1987.

The only European car to finish was a 1921 Grand Prix Sunbeam driven by Ora Haibe who was placed fifth.

Ralph DePalma completed his qualifying run on Wednesday May 25, at an average speed of 100.75 mph.

This would be the first 500 that featured the familiar starting grid of rows of cars three-abreast.