Indianapolis 500 records

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As of 105th race, May 30th 2021.

Race records[]

Victories[]

Quantity[]

Most driver victories
Wins Driver Years
4 United States A. J. Foyt 1961 1964 1967 1977
United States Al Unser 1970 1971 1978 1987
United States Rick Mears 1979 1984 1988 1991
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021
See Multiple victories for full listing
Most owner victories
Owners with at least four victories
Wins Owner Years
18 United States Roger Penske 1972 1979 1981 1984 1985
1987 1988 1991 1993 1994
2001 2002 2003 2006 2009
2015 2018 2019  
5 United States Lou Moore 1938 1941 1947 1948 1949
United States Michael Andretti 2005 2007 2014 2016 2017
4 United States A.J. Foyt 1964 1967 1977 1999  
United States Chip Ganassi 2000 2008 2010 2012
See Owners for full listing
Most driver-owner victories
Driver-owners with at least two victories
Wins Driver-Owner Years Notes
3 United States A. J. Foyt 1964 1967 1977 Driver, 1961 winning entry; owner, 1999 winning entry
2 United States Louis Meyer 1933 1936   Driver, 1928 winning entry
See Driver/Owners for full listing
Most victorious chassis
Chassis-makes with at least five victories
Wins Chassis Years
21* Italy Dallara 1998 1999 2001 2002 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2021
7 United States Penske 1979 1981 1988 1989 1991 1993 1994  
6 United States Miller 1923 1926 1928 1929 1933 1934  
United States Watson 1956 1959 1960 1962 1963 1964
5 United States Kurtis Kraft 1950 1951 1953 1954 1955  
United Kingdom March 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
* Independent, team-constructed chassis entries prohibited, 1997 — present.
Most victorious engines
Engine-makes with at least five victories
Wins Engine Years
27 United States Offenhauser 1935 1937 1941 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953
1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
1964 1968 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976  
14 Japan Honda 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014
2016 2017 2020 2021
12 United States Miller 1922 1923 1926 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934
1936 1938  
11 United States Chevrolet 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 2002 2013 2015 2018
2019  
10 United Kingdom Cosworth 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987
8 United States Ford* 1965 1966 1967 1969 1970 1971 1995 1996  
5 United States Oldsmobile 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001  
* 1995 and 1996 races won by engines labelled as "Ford-Cosworth", but
developed by Ford Motor Company, and thus considered Ford entries, after
latter's acquisition of the rights to the Cosworth engine after the 1991 season.
Victorious tire brands
Wins Tire Years
70 F 1911 1913 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927
1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937
1938 1939 1940 1941 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951
1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961
1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1969 1970 1971 1996 1997
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2021
29 G 1919 1967 1968 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1998 1999  
2 BF 1915 1916  
1 M 1912  
P 1914
Most victorious car numbers
Car numbers carried by at least five winning entries
Wins No Years
11 3 1919 1948 1962 1968 1974 1981 1986 1991 1992 2002 2009
9 2 1915 1921 1929 1939 1969 1970 1976 1978 2015  
7 1 1923 1940 1950 1958 1961 1964 1971  
6 5 1935 1959 1983 1985 1988 1997  
14 1928 1953 1954 1967 1977 1999
5 4 1920 1930 1960 1980 1993  
6 1937 1955 1984 2003 2006
Entries assigned one of the first six digits have
won forty-three out of one hundred two races, 42.16%.

See Winning car numbers for full listing
Most victorious starting positions
Starting positions held by at least ten race winners
Wins Pos Years
21 1
(Pole)
1922 1923 1930 1938 1953 1956 1963 1970 1976 1979
1980 1981 1988 1991 1994 1997 2004 2006 2008 2009
2019  
13 3 1939 1947 1948 1968 1972 1975 1984 1989 1990 2007
2010 2018 2020  
11 2 1915 1919 1925 1937 1940 1951 1960 1962 1965 1969
2000  
Entries starting from the first row have won
forty-three out of one hundred two races, 42.16%.

See Winning starting positions for full listing

Quality[]

Rookie winners
Inaugural race inclusive, ten drivers have won the
race in their first start*, and one driver has won it in his
first two starts. Rookie winners have occurred in ten out of
one hundred races, 10%, in two consecutive years twice
(1913 — 1914, 2000 — 2001), and in three consecutive
years once (1926 — 1928).
Years Driver Career
Victories
1911   United States Ray Harroun 1911  
1913 France Jules Goux 1913  
1914 United States René Thomas 1914  
1926 United States Frank Lockhart 1926  
1927 United States George Souders 1927  
1928 United States Louis Meyer 1928 1933 1936
1966 United Kingdom Graham Hill 1966  
2000 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya 2000 2015  
2001 2002 Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021
2016   United States Alexander Rossi 2016  
* United States Louis Meyer won in his first start
in 1928, but had competed a year earlier
as a relief driver for United States Wilbur Shaw.
Consecutive driver victories
Wins Driver Career Victories
2 United States Wilbur Shaw 1937 1939 1940  
United States Mauri Rose 1941 1947 1948  
United States Bill Vukovich 1953 1954  
United States Al Unser 1970 1971 1978 1987
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021
Most races between victories
Ten drivers have intervals between race
victories extending five or more races*.
Years Driver Career Victories
15 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya 2000 2015  
12 Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021
10 United States A. J. Foyt 1961 1964 1967 1977
9 United States Gordon Johncock 1973 1982  
United States Al Unser 1970 1971 1978 1987
7 United States Bobby Unser 1968 1975 1981  
Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 1990 1997  
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021
6 United States Bobby Unser 1968 1975 1981  
United Kingdom Dan Wheldon 2005 2011  
5 United States Louis Meyer 1928 1933 1936  
United States Rick Mears 1979 1984 1988 1991
* United States Mauri Rose's 1947 victory occurred six years
after his co-victory with United States Floyd Davis in 1941,
but only two races later due to the cancellation
of the race, 1942—1945, due to World War II.
Most races between first and last victories
Five drivers have won multiple victories
across a time period of at least ten races.
Years Driver Career Victories
20 Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021
17 United States Al Unser 1970 1971 1978 1987
16 United States A. J. Foyt 1961 1964 1967 1977
15 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya 2000 2015  
13 United States Bobby Unser 1968 1975 1981  
12 United States Rick Mears 1979 1984 1988 1991
Most starts before first victory
Seven drivers have won the race for the
first time after ten or more career starts.
Starts Driver Career Victories
13 United States Sam Hanks 1957  
12 Brazil Tony Kanaan 2013  
11 United States Jim Rathmann 1960  
United States Johnny Rutherford 1974 1976 1980
Australia Will Power 2018  
10 United States Tom Sneva 1983  
United States Al Unser, Jr. 1992 1994  
  • Defending champion finishing second: 8
    • United States Louis Meyer, 1929
    • United States Wilbur Shaw, 1938
    • United States Bill Holland, 1950
    • United States Rodger Ward, 1960
    • United Kingdom Jim Clark, 1966
    • United States Al Unser, 1972
    • United States Johnny Rutherford, 1975
    • Brazil Hélio Castroneves, 2003
  • Defending second place-finisher winning: 14
    • United Kingdom Dario Resta, 1916
    • United States Fred Frame, 1932
    • United States Wilbur Shaw, 1939
    • United States Bill Holland*, 1949
    • United States Johnnie Parsons, 1950
    • United States Sam Hanks, 1957
    • United States Jim Rathmann, 1960
    • United States Bobby Unser, 1975
    • United States Johnny Rutherford, 1976
    • United States A. J. Foyt, 1977
    • Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi, 1989
    • Canada Jacques Villeneuve, 1995
    • New Zealand Scott Dixon, 2008
    • United Kingdom Dan Wheldon*, 2011
* Won after two consecutive second-place finishes.
  • Co-winners (one driver starting a race but another driver finishing in the same winning entry): 2
  • Victories by drivers who never led a race lap in career: 2 (Corum and Davis, in those same years)
  • Won Triple Crown of Motorsport (Indianapolis 500, Monaco Grand Prix, and 24 Hours of Le Mans):
    • United Kingdom Graham Hill (1966 / 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969 / 1972)
  • Won Indianapolis 500, World Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans):
    • United Kingdom Graham Hill (1966 / 1962, 1968 / 1972)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and World Championship: 5
    • United Kingdom Jim Clark (1965 / 1963, 1965)
    • United Kingdom Graham Hill (1966 / 1962, 1968)
    • United States Mario Andretti (1969 / 1978)
    • Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi (1989, 1993 / 1972, 1974)
    • Canada Jacques Villeneuve (1995 / 1997)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans: 2
    • United States A. J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1967)
    • United Kingdom Graham Hill (1966 / 1972)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Daytona:
    • United States A. J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1983, 1985)
    • United States Al Unser (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987 / 1985)
    • United States Mark Donohue (1972 / 1969)
    • United States Mario Andretti (1969 / 1972* shortened due to gas shortage)
    • United States Bobby Rahal (1986 / 1981)
    • Netherlands Arie Luyendyk (1990, 1997 / 1998)
    • United States Al Unser, Jr. (1992, 1994 / 1986, 1987)
    • Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya (2000, 2015 / 2007, 2008, 2013)
    • United Kingdom Dan Wheldon (2005, 2011 / 2006)
    • New Zealand Scott Dixon (2008 / 2006, 2015, 2020)
    • United States Buddy Rice (2004 / 2009)
    • United Kingdom Dario Franchitti (2007, 2010, 2012 / 2008)
    • Brazil Tony Kanaan (2013 / 2015)
    • Brazil Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021 / 2021, 2022)
    • United States Alexander Rossi (2016 / 2021)
    • France Simon Pagenaud (2019 / 2022)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix:
    • United Kingdom Graham Hill (1966 / 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969)
    • Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya (2000, 2015 / 2003)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and 12 Hours of Sebring:
    • United States Mario Andretti (1969 / 1967, 1970, 1972)
    • United States A. J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1985)
    • United States Bobby Rahal (1986 / 1987)
    • Netherlands Arie Luyendyk (1990, 1997 / 1989)
    • United States Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014 / 2020)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500:
    • United States Mario Andretti (1969 / 1967)
    • United States A. J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1972)
  • Won Indianapolis 500 and Petit Le Mans:
  • Won Indianapolis 500, World Championship, and Daytona 500:
    • United States Mario Andretti (1969 / 1978 / 1967)
  • Won Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Daytona 500:
    • United States A. J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1967 / 1972)

Narrowest Margin of Victory:

  • United States Al Unser, Jr. over Canada Scott Goodyear, 1992
    • Official margin: 0.043 second
    • Unofficial margin: 0.033 second [1]

Widest Margin of Victory:

  • Preceding 1966 (first year of top five finishing entry being flagged off before completing 500 miles):
    • 13 minutes, 8 seconds, France Jules Goux over United States Spencer Wishart, 1913
  • Succeeding 1966 (year inclusive):
    • 2 laps +0:00.021, United States Rick Mears over Colombia Roberto Guerrero, 1984
    • 2 laps, United States A. J. Foyt over United States Al Unser, 1967 (race red flagged, second place reverted to last completed lap)
    • 2 laps, Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi over United States Al Unser, Jr., 1989 (second place car did not finish 199th lap, third place 6 laps behind leader)

Speed and Qualification Records[]

Lap Speed Records[]

All-Time Lap Speed Records
Type Distance Driver Time Average Speed Date
Laps Mi Km mph km/h
Practice
(unofficial)
*
1 2.5 4.0 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 00:37.616 239.260 385.052 10 May 1996
Qualifying 1 2.5 4.0 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 00:37.895 237.498 382.216 12 May 1996
4 10.0 16.1 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 02:31.908 236.986 381.392 12 May 1996
Race 1 2.5 4.0 United States Eddie Cheever 00:38.119 236.103 379.971 26 May 1996
* Official time and speed records recorded only in direct qualifying or race competition

Pole positions[]

Most pole positions
Ten drivers have qualified for at least three pole positions
Poles Driver Years
6 United States Rick Mears 1979 1982 1986 1988 1989 1991
4 United States Rex Mays 1935 1936 1940 1948  
United States A. J. Foyt 1965 1969 1974 1975
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2003 2007 2009 2010
New Zealand Scott Dixon 2008 2015 2017 2021
3 United StatesMario Andretti 1966 1967 1987  
United States Johnny Rutherford 1973 1976 1980
United States Tom Sneva 1977 1978 1984
Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 1993 1997 1999
United States Ed Carpenter 2013 2014 2018
See Multiple pole positions for full list, multiple-pole-winning drivers
Consecutive pole position qualifications
Eleven drivers have qualified for the
pole position in consecutive years.
Poles Driver Career Pole Positions
2 United StatesRalph DePalma 1920 1921  
United States Rex Mays 1935 1936 1940 1948  
United States Eddie Sachs 1960 1961  
United States Parnelli Jones 1962 1963  
United StatesMario Andretti 1966 1967 1987  
United States A. J. Foyt 1965 1969 1974 1975  
United States Tom Sneva 1977 1978 1984  
United States Rick Mears 1979 1982 1986 1988 1989 1991
United States Scott Brayton* 1995 1996*  
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2003 2007 2009 2010  
United States Ed Carpenter 2013 2014 2018  
Italy Italian-born De Palma started racing as an American citizen in 1920.
* United States Scott Brayton qualified for the pole position in 1996, but was
killed in a practice session accident nine days before the race in a
backup car. Tony Stewart, the second qualifier, moved onto the
pole position Brayton's stead, while Danny Ongais, per regulations,
started the pole-winning car from the final starting position.
Most races between
pole position qualifications

Five* drivers have intervals between pole
positions extending five or more races.
Years Driver Career
Pole Positions
20 United States Mario Andretti 1966 1967 1987  
9 United States Bobby Unser 1972 1981  
7 New Zealand Scott Dixon 2008 2015 2017 2021
5 United States A. J. Foyt 1965 1969 1974 1975
* United States Rex Mays' 1948 pole position qualification
occurred eight years after qualifying for it in 1940,
but only four races later due to the cancellation of
the race, from 1942—1945, due to World War II.

Average Race Speeds[]

Fastest Races
Twelve races have been run in under three hours.
Year Driver Team Time Average
Speed
(mph)
2021 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Meyer Shank Racing 2:37:19.4043 190.690
2013 Brazil Tony Kanaan KV Racing Technology 2:40:03.4181 187.433
2014 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 2:40:48.2305 186.563
1990 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk Doug Shierson Racing 2:41:18.414 185.981
1991 United States Rick Mears Penske Racing 2:50:00.785 176.460
2019 France Simon Pagenaud Team Penske 2:50:39.2797 175.794
1986 United States Bobby Rahal Truesports 2:55:43.470 170.722
2011 England Dan Wheldon Bryan Herta Autosport 2:56:11.7267 170.265
2012 Scotland Dario Franchitti Chip Ganassi Racing 2:58:51.2532 167.734
2000 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya Chip Ganassi Racing 2:58:59.431 167.607
1989 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi Patrick Racing 2:59:01.040 167.581
2018 Australia Will Power Team Penske 2:59:42.6365 166.935
Decade Slowest Winning Average Speed
Year Driver Team Time Average
Speed
(mph)
1911 United States Ray Harroun Marmon 6:42:08 74.602
1920 United StatesGaston Chevrolet Frontenac 5:38:32 88.618
1931 United States Louis Schneider Bowes Seal Fast 5:10:27.93 96.629
1940 United States Wilbur Shaw Maserati 4:22:31.17 114.277
1950 United States Johnnie Parsons Kurtis Kraft 2:46:55.97* 124.022
1960 United States Jim Rathmann Ken-Paul 3:36:11.36 138.767
1976 United States Johnny Rutherford Team McLaren 1:42:52.48* 148.725
1981 United States Bobby Unser Penske Racing 3:35:41.78 139.184
1992 United States Al Unser, Jr. Galles-Kraco 3:43:05.148 134.477
2004 United States Buddy Rice Rahal Letterman 3:14:55.2395* 138.518
2017 Japan Takuma Sato Andretti Autosport 3:13:03.3584 155.395
* Rain-shortened
Chevrolet was France French-born
Slowest Finishing Average Speed
Year Driver Team Time Average
Speed
(mph)
Pos
1912 United States Ralph Mulford Knox 8:53:00 56.29 10

Lap Leader Records[]

Most career laps led
Seven drivers have led five hundred or more race laps during their career.
Rank Driver Laps
Led
Career
Laps Run
Career
Lap Leader
Percentage
Race
Wins
Years Won
1 United States Al Unser 644 4,356 14.78% 4 1970 1971 1978 1987
2 United StatesRalph DePalma 612 1,594 38.39% 1 1915  
3 New Zealand Scott Dixon 570 Active driver 1 2008  
4 United StatesMario Andretti 556 3,040 18.29% 1 1969  
5 United States A. J. Foyt 555 4,909 11.31% 4 1961 1964 1967 1977
6 United States Wilbur Shaw 508 2,019 25.16% 3 1937 1939 1940  
7 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi 505 1,785 28.29% 2 1989 1993  
See Lap Leaders for full listing
Italy Italian-born
Most race laps led by non-winning entry
Four entries have failed to win despite dominating to lead
eighty percent or more of a given race's completed laps.
Laps
Led
Distance
Led
Percent
Race Led
Year Driver Start
Pos
Final
Pos
mi km
196 490 788.6 98.0% 1912 Italy Ralph DePalma 7 11
171 427.5 688.0 85.5% 1967 United States Parnelli Jones 6 6
170 425 684.0 85.0% 1987 United States Mario Andretti 1 9
160 400 643.7 80.0% 1992 United States Michael Andretti 6 13
Most laps led from start
Two entries, both starting from the pole position, have led the
opening forty percent or further of a given race's completed laps.
Laps Year Driver Full
Laps
Led
Percent
Race Led
Start
Pos
Final
Pos
92 1990 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi 128 64.0% 1 3
81 1927 United States Frank Lockhart 110 55.0% 1 18
Latest lead change
Races with final lead change taking
place at or within three laps of finish
Lap Year Winner Overtaken
200 2006 United States Sam Hornish, Jr. United States Marco Andretti
2011 England Dan Wheldon United States J. R. Hildebrand
199 1912 United States Joe Dawson ItalyRalph DePalma
1989 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi United States Al Unser, Jr.
1999 Sweden Kenny Bräck United States Robby Gordon
2012 Scotland Dario Franchitti New Zealand Scott Dixon
2019 France Simon Pagenaud United States Alexander Rossi
2021 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Spain Álex Palou
198 1961 United States A. J. Foyt United States Eddie Sachs
1986 United States Bobby Rahal United States Kevin Cogan
2013 Brazil Tony Kanaan United States Ryan Hunter-Reay
DePalma became a U.S. citizen in 1920.

Led opening lap and final lap: 21 entries among 19 drivers

  • Jimmy Murphy, 1922
  • Joe Boyer, 1924 (only occasion of occurrence in separate entries)
  • Peter DePaolo, 1925
  • Lee Wallard, 1951
  • Bill Vukovich, 1953
  • Jimmy Bryan, 1958
  • Jim Clark, 1965
  • Mario Andretti, 1969
  • Al Unser, 1970
  • Johnny Rutherford, 1976
  • Johnny Rutherford, 1980
  • Bobby Unser, 1981
  • Rick Mears, 1984
  • Emerson Fittipaldi, 1989
  • Rick Mears, 1991
  • Al Unser, Jr., 1994
  • Buddy Rice, 2004
  • Scott Dixon, 2008
  • Hélio Castroneves, 2009
  • Dario Franchitti, 2010
  • Simon Pagenaud, 2019
Led opening lap,
consecutive races

Eight drivers have led the opening
race lap in consecutive races.
Years Driver
2 19221923 United States Jimmy Murphy
19281929 United States Leon Duray
19351936 United States Rex Mays
19401941
19541955 United States Jack McGrath
19641965 Scotland Jim Clark
19721973 United States Bobby Unser
19891990 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi
19961997 United States Tony Stewart
Most laps led by rookie
Six drivers have led forty percent or further distance
of a given race in their first year of competition.
Laps Percent
Race Led
Year Driver Start
Pos
Final
Pos
167 83.5% 2000 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya 2 1
143 71.5% 1947 United States Bill Holland 8 2
138 69.0% 1913 France Jules Goux 7 1
102 51.0% 1914 France René Thomas 15 1
95 59.4% 1926 United States Frank Lockhart 20 1
85 42.5% 2002 South Africa Tomas Scheckter 10 26

Age records[]

Top ten oldest winners
Year Driver Age
Descriptive Exact
Days
Years Days
1987 United States Al Unser 47 360 17,527
1981 United States Bobby Unser 47 93 17,260
1993 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi 46 169 16,971
2021 Brazil Hélio Castroneves 46 20 16,822
1982 United States Gordon Johncock 45 278 16,714
1997 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 43 248 15,954
2020 Japan Takuma Sato 43 208 15,913
1957 United States Sam Hanks 42 320 15,661
1989 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi 42 167 15,508
1977 United States A. J. Foyt 42 133 15,474
Top ten youngest winners
Year Driver Age
Descriptive Exact
Days
Years Days
1952 United States Troy Ruttman 22 80 8,116
1912 United States Joe Dawson 22 318 8,352
1926 United States Frank Lockhart 23 53 8,454
1928 United States Louis Meyer 23 314 8,714
1995 Canada Jacques Villeneuve 24 49 8,815
1930 United States Billy Arnold 24 165 8,931
2016 United States Alexander Rossi 24 247 9,013
2000 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya 24 251 9,017
1924 United States Lora L. Corum* 25 143 9,273
2001 Brazil Hélio Castroneves 26 17 9,514
* 1924 winning entry credited with two winning drivers,
with Corum starting, but race lead assumed only after
relief, and eventual drive to victory, by United States Joe Boyer.

Oldest Starter:

  • United States A.J. Foyt, Jr., 57 years, 128 days old, 1992

Youngest Starter:

  • United States A. J. Foyt IV, 19 years, 0 days old, 2003

Miscellaneous competitive records[]

Most race starts
Ten drivers have started at least twenty races.
Starts Driver Career Victories Notes
35 United States A. J. Foyt 1961 1964 1967 1977 1958—1992, consecutive
29 United States Mario Andretti 1969    
27 United States Al Unser 1970 1971 1978 1987  
24 United States Johnny Rutherford 1974 1976 1980    
United States Gordon Johncock 1973 1982    
22 United States George Snider   Most starts without winning
21 United States Gary Bettenhausen    
Brazil Hélio Castroneves 2001 2002 2009 2021  
20 United States Buddy Lazier 1996    
Brazil Tony Kanaan 2013    
Best Female Driver Finishes
Races with one or more female drivers finishing in the top ten
Year Start
Pos
Final
Pos
Driver Notes
2009 10 3 United States Danica Patrick  
2005 4 4 United States Danica Patrick Led 19 laps; first female driver leader
2010 23 6 United States Danica Patrick  
2006 10 8 United States Danica Patrick  
2007 8 8 United States Danica Patrick  
1978 15 9 United States Janet Guthrie First top ten, female driver
2011 25 10 United States Danica Patrick Led 10 laps; most recent female driver leader
Most Leaders in Race
Races with more than ten race leaders
Leaders Year Winner
15 2017 Japan Takuma Sato
2018 Australia Will Power
14 2013 Brazil Tony Kanaan
13 2016 United States Alexander Rossi
2021 Brazil Hélio Castroneves
12 1993 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi
11 2014 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay
Fewest Leaders in Race
Races with three or fewer race leaders
Leaders Year Winner
2 1930 United States Billy Arnold
1965 United Kingdom Jim Clark
3 1912 United States Joe Dawson
1916 United Kingdom Dario Resta
1919 United States Howdy Wilcox
1938 United States Floyd Roberts
1940 United States Wilbur Shaw
1947 United States Mauri Rose
1950 United States Johnnie Parsons
1952 United States Troy Ruttman
1967 United States A. J. Foyt
1968 United States Bobby Unser
1990 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk
1994 United States Al Unser, Jr.
Most Starters in Race
Races with more than 33 starting entries
Started Year Winner Notes
42 1933 United States Louis Meyer Full field
40 1911 United States Ray Harroun Unlimited potential field size; 40 entries achieving required minimum speed
1931 United States Louis Schneider Full field
1932 United States Fred Frame Full field
38 1930 United States Billy Arnold 40 potential starting positions
35 1979 United States Rick Mears 2 further starting positions allotted from technical regulations ruling
1997 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 2 further starting positions allotted from technical regulations ruling
Fewest Starters in Race
Races with fewer than 33 starting entries
Started Year Winner Notes
21 1916 United Kingdom Dario Resta 30 potential starting positions
22 1924 United States Lora L. Corum 33 potential starting positions
Corum and Boyer, co-drivers of winning entry
United States Joe Boyer
1925 United States Peter DePaolo 33 potential starting positions
23 1920 United States Gaston Chevrolet 33 potential starting positions
1921 United States Tommy Milton 33 potential starting positions
24 1912 United States Joe Dawson 30 potential starting positions
1915 United States Ralph DePalma 33 potential starting positions
1923 United States Tommy Milton 33 potential starting positions
27 1913 France Jules Goux 30 potential starting positions
1922 United States Jimmy Murphy 33 potential starting positions
28 1926 United States Frank Lockhart 33 potential starting positions
29 1928 United States Louis Meyer 33 potential starting positions
30 1914 France René Thomas Full field
1947 United States Mauri Rose 33 potential starting positions
Most Lead Changes in Race
Races with twenty-five or more lead changes
Lead
Changes
Year Winner
68 2013 Brazil Tony Kanaan
54 2016 United States Alexander Rossi
37 2015 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya
35 2017 Japan Takuma Sato
2021 Brazil Hélio Castroneves
34 2012 United Kingdom Dario Franchitti
2014 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay
30 2018 Australia Will Power
29 1960 United States Jim Rathmann
2019 France Simon Pagenaud
28 1923 United States Tommy Milton
27 2005 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon
Fewest Lead Changes in Race
Races with three or fewer lead changes
Lead
Changes
Year Winner
1 1930 United States Billy Arnold
2 1912 United States Joe Dawson
1916 United Kingdom Dario Resta
3 1919 United States Howdy Wilcox
1931 United States Louis Schneider
1949 United States Bill Holland

Most former winners starting race:

  • 10 – 1992

Fewest former winners starting race:

  • 1 – 1996

Most rookies starting race:

  • 19 – 1919, 1930 (excluding first race's 40 starters)

Fewest rookies starting race:

  • 1 – 1939, 1979

Most cars running at finish:

  • 30 – 2021

Fewest cars running at finish:

  • 7 – 1966

Most occasions running at finish:

  • 2: 18, A. J. Foyt and Al Unser

Greatest improvement from starting position to finishing position (all-time):

Greatest improvement from starting position to finishing position (33-car field):

Most consecutive laps completed without falling out of competition:

  • 2,310 laps, Hélio Castroneves, 2007-2018 (from the start of the 2007 race through lap 145 of 2018 race)

Most cars and teams entered

  • 117, 1984

Race conditions[]

Highest Race Temperatures[1]
Races with air temperature equaling or exceeding 90°F (32°C)
Year Degrees Race Winner Notes
°F °C
1937 92° 33° United States Wilbur Shaw  
1953 91° 33° United States Bill Vukovich With anecdotal, "unofficial" testimony placing air temperature at the track itself
during the race near, at or exceeding 100 °F / 38 °C, potentially the hottest race
in history, with at least one fatality, United States Carl Scarborough, due to heat illness
1919 91° 33° United States Howdy Wilcox  
2012 91° 33° United Kingdom Dario Franchitti Reports at the track claimed temperature of 93 °F / 34 °C
2018 91° 33° Australia Will Power  
1978 90° 32° United States Al Unser  
1977 90° 32° United States A. J. Foyt  
Lowest Race Temperatures[1]
Races with highest air temperature not exceeding 65°F (18°C)
Year Degrees Race Winner Notes
°F °C
1992 58° 14° United States Al Unser, Jr. 51 °F / 11 °C, lowest air temperature at start of race;
38 °F / 3 ��C, coldest recorded wind chill during race
1997 60° 16° Netherlands Arie Luyendyk  
1930 62° 17° United States Billy Arnold  
1947 63° 17° United States Mauri Rose 37 °F / 3 °C, lowest air temperature on race morning;
50 °F / 10 °C, lowest average air temperature throughout race day
1915 65° 18° Italy Ralph DePalma 56 °F lowest air temperature on race morning;
58 °F air temperature at start of race[2][3]
2003 65° 18° Brazil Gil de Ferran  
1924 65° 18° United States Lora L. Corum  
United States Joe Boyer
Rain-shortened races
Year Laps Distance Race Winner
(miles) (km)
1926 160 400.000 673.738 United States Frank Lockhart
1950 138 345.000 555.224 United States Johnnie Parsons
1973 133 332.500 535.107 United States Gordon Johncock
1975 174 435.000 700.065 United States Bobby Unser
1976 102 255.000 410.383 United States Johnny Rutherford
2004 180 450.000 724.205 United States Buddy Rice
2007 166 415.000 667.878 United Kingdom Dario Franchitti

Distance records[]

Career Furthest Distance Competed
Eleven drivers have completed at least three thousand laps,
or seven thousand five hundred miles, in race competition.
Rank Driver Laps Miles Starts Race
Victories
1 United States A. J. Foyt 4,909 12,272.5 35 1961 1964 1967 1977
2 United States Al Unser 4,356 10,890.0 27 1970 1971 1978 1987
3 Brazil Hélio Castroneves 3,998 9,995.0 21 2001 2002 2009 2021
4 Brazil Tony Kanaan 3,551 8,877.5 20 2013  
5 New Zealand Scott Dixon 3,469 8,672.5 19 2008  
6 United States Ed Carpenter 3,194 7,985.0 18 None
7 United States Al Unser, Jr. 3,173 7,932.5 19 1992 1994  
8 United States Gordon Johncock 3,158 7,895.0 24 1973 1982  
9 United States Mario Andretti 3,040 7,600.0 29 1969  
10 United States Buddy Lazier 3,015 7,537.5 20 1996  
11 United States Marco Andretti 3,000 7,500.0 16 None

Most years completing the full 500 miles[]

  • 15 Hélio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021)

Most consecutive years completing the full 500 miles[]

  • 6 Wilbur Shaw (1935-1940)
  • 6 Rodger Ward (1959-1964)
  • 6 Scott Dixon (2008-2013)
  • 6 Hélio Castroneves (2012-2017)

Most consecutive laps completed[]

  • 1,367 Scott Dixon (from the start of the 2008 race through lap 167 of 2014 race)

Indianapolis 500 Race Interval Average Speed Records[]

Laps Distance
(miles)
Driver Team Time* Average
Speed
(mph)
Year
1 2.5 Brazil Tony Kanaan Andretti-Green Racing 0:00:41.3359 217.728 2007
2 5 United States Tony Stewart Team Menard 0:01:21.0940 221.965 1996
4 10 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Penske Racing 0:02:43.7710 219.819 2003
10 25 Brazil Tony Kanaan Andretti-Green Racing 0:06:45.7841 221.703 2005
20 50 Brazil Bruno Junqueira Chip Ganassi Racing 0:13:36.0110 220.585 2002
30 75 United States JR Hildebrand Ed Carpenter Racing 0:20:34.6615 218.683 2017
40 100 Spain Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda Andretti 0:27:55.7591 214.828 2017
50 125 Spain Fernando Alonso McLaren Honda Andretti 0:34:43.4310 215.990 2017
60 150 United States Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport 0:42:12.2288 213.251 2014
70 175 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Penske Racing 0:49:41.5486 211.300 2014
80 200 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Penske Racing 0:56:32.6565 212.223 2014
90 225 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Penske Racing 1:03:21.4821 213.075 2014
100 250 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 1:10:47.8745 211.871 2014
110 275 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Penske Racing 1:17:37.1795 212.575 2014
120 300 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 1:24:24.0448 213.268 2014
130 325 Colombia Juan Pablo Montoya Penske Racing 1:31:17.6531 213.595 2014
140 350 United States Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport 1:38:42.8021 212.737 2014
150 375 United States Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport 1:45:51.7817 212.539 2014
160 400 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 1:58:29.5150 202.543 2014
170 425 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 2:06:41.8255 201.267 2014
180 450 Colombia Carlos Muñoz Andretti Autosport 2:20:41.0171 191.920 2013
190 475 United States Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport 2:28:09.0275 192.372 2013
200 500 Brazil Hélio Castroneves Meyer Shank Racing 2:37:19.4043 190.690 2021
* With official timing and scoring first recording ten-thousandth-second
intervals in 2004, years previous assigned zero as decimal placeholder.

Related lists[]

Drivers who crashed while leading during final one hundred miles of race (Lap 160+)[]

  • 1931: Billy Arnold - Arnold charged from 18th starting position to lead the race by lap 7. Arnold, who had dominated the 1930 race (led 198 laps), proceeded to lead the next 155 laps, and built up a five-lap lead over second place. His rear axle broke on lap 162. He spun in turn four, was hit by another car, and went over the outside wall. One of his errant wheels bounced across Georgetown Road, and struck and killed a 12-year-old boy, Wilbur C. Brink. Arnold suffered a broken pelvis, and his riding mechanic Spider Matlock broke his shoulder.
  • 1952: Bill Vukovich - Vukovich led 150 laps, and was leading on lap 192 when a steering linkage failed. Vukovich nursed his car to a stop by driving up against the outside wall at the end of the back straightaway at the beginning of turn three, preventing other drivers from getting involved in the incident.
  • 1989: Al Unser, Jr. - On the 199th lap, Al Unser, Jr. was leading Fittipaldi down the backstretch. The two cars weaving through lap traffic, and Fittipaldi dove underneath Unser exiting turn two. Racing side-with Unser drawing back ahead by a nose entering turn three, the two cars touched wheels, and Unser spun out, crashing into the outside wall. Fittipaldi coasted around the final lap under caution to score his first race victory.
  • 1994: Emerson Fittipaldi - while leading the race on lap 184, Fittipaldi was attempting to lap his teammate Al Unser, Jr., who was running second. Coming out of turn four, Fittipaldi's left wheels touched the rumble strips on the inside, causing the left side tires to lose adhesion, and the rear of the car to swing wide at the turn exit, resulting in the rear tagging the outside wall and knocking Fittipaldi out of the race. Unser, Jr. went on to win.
  • 2002: Tomas Scheckter - After leading 85 laps during the race, the rookie was leading on lap 173. Coming out of turn 4, he slid high and smacked the outside wall down the frontstretch.
  • 2011: J. R. Hildebrand - During the final ten laps, a sequence of green flag pit stops shuffled the field. Rookie J. R. Hildebrand was attempting to stretch his fuel to the finish, and took over the lead with just over two laps to go. On the final lap, he was leading going into the final turn, when he came up on the lapped car of Charlie Kimball, who was slowing to the inside. Hildebrand went high, got into the "marbles," and smacked the outside wall. Without steering, and only on three wheels, his car slid down the frontstretch towards the finish line and the checkered flag. However, Hildebrand was passed by Dan Wheldon on the final 1,000 feet and Hildebrand finished second.

References[]

  1. ^ a b "NWS Indianapolis, IN; Indianapolis 500". National Weather Service.
  2. ^ "Weather Forecast". The Indianapolis Star. June 1, 1915. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  3. ^ "Weather Indications". The Indianapolis News. June 1, 1915. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.open access
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