Complete List of Indy 500 Winners: The First Race to Present Day

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The Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, is one of the most prestigious and historic races in the world of motorsports. Since its inaugural race in 1911, the Indy 500 has been the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing, and a showcase for speed, skill, and innovation. Over the years, the race has seen many legends emerge, from the early pioneers of racing to the modern-day champions who continue to push the limits of what is possible on the track. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the complete list of Indy 500 winners, from the first race to the present day.

Complete List of Indy 500 Winners

Complete List of Indy 500 Winners

Race YearWinner NameRace YearWinner Name
2022Marcus Ericsson1966Graham Hill
2021Hélio Castroneves1965Jim Clark
2020Postponed Due to COVID-191964A.J. Foyt, Jr.
2019Simon Pagenaud1963Parnelli Jones
2018Will Power1962Rodger Ward
2017Takuma Sato1961A.J. Foyt
2016Alexander Rossi1960Jim Rathman
2015Juan P. Montoya1959Rodger Ward
2014Ryan Hunter-Reay1958Jimmy Bryan
2013Tony Kanaan1957Sam Hanks
2012Dario Franchitti
1956Pat Flaherty
2011Dan Wheldon1955Bob Sweikert
2010Dario Franchitti1954Bill Vukovich
2009Helio Castroneves1953Bill Vukovich
2008Scott Dixon1952Troy Ruttman
2007Dario Franchitti1951Lee Wallard
2006Sam Hornish Jr.1950Johnnie Parsons
2005Dan Wheldon1949Bill Holland
2004Buddy Rice1948Mauri Rose
2003Gil de Ferran1947Mauri Rose
2002Helio Castroneves1946George Robson
2001Helio Castroneves1945No race (WWII)
2000Juan P. Montoya1944No race (WWII)
1999Kenny Brack1943No race (WWII)
1998Eddie Cheever Jr.1942No race (WWII)
1997Arie Luyendyk1941Floyd Davis & Mauri Rose
1996Buddy Lazier1940Wilbur Shaw
1995Jacques Villeneuve1939Wilbur Shaw
1994Al Unser Jr.1938Floyd Roberts
1993Emerson Fittipaldi1937Wilbur Shaw
1992Al Unser Jr.1936Louis Meyer
1991Rick Mears1935Kelly Petillo
1990Arie Luyendyk1934Bill Cummings
1989Emerson Fittipaldi1933Louis Meyer
1988Rick Mears1932Fred Frame
1987Al Unser1931Louis Schneider
1986Bobby Rahal1930Billy Arnold
1985Danny Sullivan1929Ray Keech
1984Rick Mears1928Louis Meyer
1983Tom Sneva1927George Souders
1982Gordon Johncock1926Frank Lockhart
1981Bobby Unser1925Peter DePaolo
1980Johnny Rutherford1924JoeBoyer/L.L. Corum
1979Rick Mears1923Tommy Milton
1978Al Unser1922Jimmy Murphy
1977A.J. Foyt, Jr.1921Tommy Milton
1976Johnny Rutherford1920Gaston Chevrolet
1975Bobby Unser1919Howdy Wilcox
1974Johnny Rutherford1918No race (WWI)
1973Gordon Johncock1917No race (WWI)
1972Mark Donohue1916Dario Resta
1971Al Unser1915Ralph DePalma
1970Al Unser1914Rene Thomas
1969Mario Andretti1913Jules Goux
1968Bobby Unser1912Joe Dawson
1967A.J. Foyt1911Ray Harroun

The First Race of the Indy  500

The first Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30, 1911, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a brand-new track that had been built just for the occasion. The race was won by Ray Harroun, driving a Marmon Wasp, in a time of 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 8 seconds. Harroun’s victory was notable for a couple of reasons: he was the only driver in the race to go without a riding mechanic, and he also used a rearview mirror, which was an innovation at the time. You can also watch this year’s Indy 500 Winner by watching the motorsports Live Stream 2023 here.

About The Early Years Race of Indy 500

In the early years of the Indy 500, the race was dominated by a handful of drivers, including Ralph DePalma, who won in 1915, and 1919; and Tommy Milton, who won in 1921 and 1923. Other notable winners from this period include Joe Dawson, who won in 1912, and the legendary Louis Chevrolet, who won in 1920.

The 1930s were a golden era for the Indy 500, with several legendary drivers making their mark on the race. Wilbur Shaw won in 1937, 1939, and 1940, becoming the first driver to win the race three times. Other notable winners from this period include Billy Arnold, who won in 1930, and Fred Frame, who won in 1932.

The Post-War Era Winners of the Indy 500

After World War II, the Indy 500 entered a new era, with faster cars and more advanced technology. The 1950s saw several drivers emerge as dominant forces in the race, including Bill Vukovich, who won in 1953 and 1954, and Sam Hanks, who won in 1957. Other notable winners from this period include Troy Ruttman, who won in 1952, and Jim Rathmann, who won in 1960.

The 1960s and 1970s were a time of great change and innovation in the world of motorsports, and the Indy 500 was no exception. The race saw several groundbreaking new technologies introduced, including the rear-engine car, which was first used by Jim Clark in 1965. This period also saw the emergence of a new generation of drivers, including A.J. Foyt, who won in 1961, 1964, 1967, and 1977, and Mario Andretti, who won in 1969. In the Modern Era, Notable winners from this period include Rick Mears, who won in 1979, 1984, 1988, and 1991, and Helio Castroneves, who won in 2001, 2002, and 2009.

Last 15 Years Indy 500 Winner List

The Indianapolis 500 is an iconic automobile race that has been held annually since 1911. Over the years, the race has produced numerous legendary drivers and memorable moments. Here, we present the last 15 years’ Indy 500 winner list.

  • 2008 – Scott Dixon won his first Indy 500 in 2008, becoming the first New Zealander to win the race.
  • 2009 – Hélio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves won his third Indy 500 in 2009, joining a select group of drivers who have won the race three times.
  • 2010 – Dario Franchitti won his second Indy 500 in 2010, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the race.
  • 2011 – Dan Wheldon won his second Indy 500 in 2011, providing one of the most emotional moments in the history of the race. Tragically, Wheldon died in a racing accident later that year.
  • 2012 – Dario Franchitti won his third Indy 500 in 2012, becoming one of only ten drivers to win the race three or more times.
  • 2013 – Tony Kanaan won his first Indy 500 in 2013, finally achieving the victory that had eluded him for so many years.
  • 2014 – Ryan Hunter-Reay won his first Indy 500 in 2014, edging out Hélio Castroneves in a thrilling finish.
  • 2015 – Juan Pablo Montoya won his second Indy 500 in 2015, nearly 15 years after his first victory in the race.
  • 2016 – Alexander Rossi won his first Indy 500 in 2016, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the race.
  • 2017 – Takuma Sato became the first Japanese driver to win the Indy 500 in 2017, holding off a charging Hélio Castroneves in the closing laps.
  • 2018 – Will Power won his first Indy 500 in 2018, holding off a hard-charging Ed Carpenter to take the victory.
  • 2019 – Simon Pagenaud Simon Pagenaud won his first Indy 500 in 2019, leading 116 of the race’s 200 laps en route to victory.
  • 2020 – No race was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic The 2020 Indy 500 was postponed from its traditional Memorial Day weekend date to August 23, and it was held without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 2021 – Hélio Castroneves won his record-tying fourth Indy 500 in 2021, becoming only the fourth driver in history to achieve that feat.
  • 2022 – Marcus Ericsson won the Indy 500 in 2022 for the first time in his lifetime.

FAQ About Indy 500 Winners

How many Indy 500 winners are there?

Since the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, there have been a total of 105 different drivers who have won the race. Some drivers have won the race multiple times, while others have won only once.

Who are the past winners of the Indy 500?

The list of past winners of the Indianapolis 500 is a who’s who of racing legends. Some of the most famous names include A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Rick Mears, and Helio Castroneves, to name just a few. The most recent winner of the race was Helio Castroneves in 2021.

Who has the most owner wins at the Indy 500?

The team owner with the most wins at the Indianapolis 500 is Roger Penske, who has earned 18 victories throughout his career. Penske has owned winning cars in every decade since the 1970s, and his teams have been dominant in the race for many years.

Who is the youngest Indy 500 winner?

The youngest driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 is Troy Ruttman, who was just 22 years old when he won the race in 1952. Ruttman’s win at the time made him the youngest winner of any major auto racing event.

Who is the greatest Indy 500 driver?

Determining the greatest Indy 500 driver is a matter of opinion, and many drivers could lay claim to the title. Some of the most successful drivers in the history of the race include A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser, and Helio Castroneves, all of whom have won the race four times. Other legendary drivers who have made their mark on the race include Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, and Bobby Unser.

Who has the most career Indy wins?

The driver with the most career IndyCar wins is A.J. Foyt, who won a total of 67 races throughout his career. Foyt was a dominant force in the sport in the 1960s and 1970s, and his record still stands today.

Conclusion

With 105 different drivers winning the race since its inception in 1911, there are many legendary names on the list of Indy all-time winners. A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser are just a few of the drivers who have won the race four times, while Helio Castroneves recently joined the exclusive club of three-time winners.

The legacy of these drivers and their achievements at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a testament to the enduring appeal of the race and the skill and determination of the drivers who compete in it. As fans of the sport look back at the all-time winners of the Indy 500, they are reminded of the incredible history and tradition of this legendary event.

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