The beginning of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway dates back to 1909, when the automobile industry built a gravel track to test its newest model cars in front of a crowd of onlookers. The gravel proved to be hazardous, spurring the transformation of the 2.5-mile track from loose gravel to mortared brick, thus earning the nickname "The Brickyard." Since the general public tends to thrive off of other people's risks and injuries, the safer brick track failed to attract substantial crowds. On May 30, 1911, the owners held a race where the winner would take home a prize of over $14,000. The competition grabbed the public's attention and drew a large crowd to watch the first of many Indianapolis 500s.