Indy 500 drivers will go through up to five 22-gallon tanks of fuel as they roar around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today.

The city of 785,000 draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each May for the Indianapolis 500, but tourism leaders hope they'll come for a taste of Egypt as well this year.

The city's centerpiece attraction is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is kicking off a three-year celebration marking its 100th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of the race two years later.

The speedway was built in 1909 by four Indiana businessmen as an automobile testing ground. Its focus soon turned to racing, with Ray Harroun winning the inaugural Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911.

The speedway today is the world's largest spectator-sport facility.

"I don't think there's any question that the Indianapolis 500 is the best-known race in the world," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian Donald Davidson. "You can go anywhere, and even if they don't speak English, they know what it is."

The centennial celebration got under way May 1 with a balloon festival featuring two races in tribute to the first competitive event held at the speedway: a June 5, 1909, race by gas-filled balloons. A festival parade was held in downtown Indianapolis yesterday, featuring race drivers, national celebrities and marching bands. Basketball analyst Dick Vitale was the grand marshal.

The Indianapolis 500 takes place today. www.indy500.com.

WHAT ELSE: If auto racing isn't your style, the city is offering some international fare.

"King Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" will open June 27 at the Children's Museum. The exhibit features more than 130 artifacts from King Tut's tomb and additional ancient sites. It runs through Oct. 25; www.childrensmuseum.org, www.kingtut.org.