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Poetry is back for 100th running of Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Did you know that poetry was a part of the Indianapolis 500 program many years ago? Now, Indiana Humanities is bringing the poem back for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Poets were asked to submit an original poem to become the official poet of this year’s 500. The contest was inspired by a 1920s tradition when a poet would write a poem for the race.

The winning poet will have the chance to read their winning poem at IMS in the month of May, have their poem featured in the 2016 program and will also receive a $1000 prize and two tickets to the race.

On Tuesday, the Indy 500 poet and the field of 33 poets was announced. More than 200 poets submitted works from around the world.

To read more about the winning poems, click here.  For more Indianapolis 500 stories, click here