With the Great War in Europe in its second year, Speedway officials elected to make in a 300 mile race in the 1916 -- the only time the race was shortened intentionally. Only 21 cars started, and three of those were built and owned by the Speedway. They were called Premiers but were knockoffs of the Peugeot.

The winner was Dario Resta, an Italian-born Englishman who drove a real Peugeot. Resta, who had nearly won the year before, led 1916 race from the 50-mile mark and was never seriously challenged. Resta was later killed in a 1924 accident in England.

Another new car name at this year's 500 was the Frontenac, built by Swiss-French immigrant Louis Chevrolet, who had walked away from the car manufacturing company that bore his name.