The Milwaukee IndyFest on June 15 will mark the 80th year since Wilbur Shaw won the 100-lap race at The Milwaukee Mile and the 111th overall at the track.
The race, credited as being the first Champ Car event event at the then-dirt track, was rained out. But drivers convinced the promoter to run the race the next day (July 17) and the term "Rain Date" was born.
The first AAA-sanctioned championship race at Milwaukee was held on Aug. 27, 1939, with Babe Stapp winning the 100-mile event in a Stevens-Offy. In 1954, the one-mile track was paved, and an infield road course was created.