For the 106th time, Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the greatest race in the world. The Indianapolis 500 will be back in front of a capacity crowd after being behind closed doors in 2020 and at around half-capacity last year. Thirty-three drivers are ready to compete with a few historic outcomes on the table. There are five drivers going after a second victory. Two drivers are looking for a third victory. And for the first time since 1993, a fifth victory is in play. But 25 drivers are looking to make this day remembered for their first mark on history. After a period of senior statesmen coming out on top, there is a slew of youngsters looking for a breakthrough and change the tide.
Starting Grid
Row 1:
Scott Dixon
This will be Dixon’s 20th Indianapolis 500 start.2008 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #9 has won the Indianapolis 500 four times with Dixon’s 2008 victory being the most recent.
Twenty-one times has the pole-sitter won the race, most recently Simon Pagenaud three years ago.
This is the second consecutive year Dixon is starting on pole position. It is the 12th time a driver has won consecutive Indianapolis 500 pole positions.
This is Dixon's fifth career Indianapolis 500 pole position, one behind Rick Mears' all-time record.
This is Dixon's third consecutive front row start and his seventh in his Indianapolis 500 career.
Dixon will become the 11th driver with at least 20 Indianapolis 500 starts and only the third international driver to reach that milestone.
Dixon is third all-time in Indianapolis 500 laps led with 570.
If Dixon leads 30 laps, he will become the third driver to reach the 600 laps led milestone. If he leads 43 laps, he will pass Ralph DePalma for second most all-time. If he leads 75 laps, Dixon will surpass Al Unser for the most laps led in the history of the Indianapolis 500.
If Dixon leads a lap, he will break the record for most Indianapolis 500s led with this being his 15th Indianapolis 500 led.
Dixon has led the most laps in the Indianapolis 500 a record five times.
If Dixon leads a lap, he will break the record for most Indianapolis 500s led with this being his 15th Indianapolis 500 led.
Dixon has led the most laps in the Indianapolis 500 a record five times.
Dixon is currently in an eight-way tied for most runner-up finishes in Indianapolis 500 history. Harry Hartz, Wilbur Shaw, Bill Holland, Jim Rathmann, Tom Sneva, Al Unser, Hélio Castroneves and Dixon have all finished runner-up three times in this race.
This is the 14th Indianapolis 500 since Dixon’s lone victory in 2008. The only driver with more races between Indianapolis 500 victories is Juan Pablo Montoya, though Montoya did not start every race between 2000 and 2015.
Dixon has the 30th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 11.0555.
Álex Palou
This will be Palou’s third Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2021)
Car #10 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Dario Franchitti 2010.
Eleven times has the winner started second, most recently Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000.
This is the fourth consecutive race Palou has started in the top five.
Dixon has the 30th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 11.0555.
Álex Palou
This will be Palou’s third Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2021)
Car #10 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Dario Franchitti 2010.
Eleven times has the winner started second, most recently Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000.
This is the fourth consecutive race Palou has started in the top five.
Last year, Palou led 35 laps, making him the Spaniard with the most laps led in Indianapolis 500 history. He has led one more lap than Oriol Servià.
Palou could become the first defending IndyCar champion to win the Indianapolis 500 since Dario Franchitti in 2012.
Palou could become the first defending IndyCar champion to win the Indianapolis 500 since Dario Franchitti in 2012.
Palou does not have a victory this IndyCar season. Four of the last six Indianapolis 500 winner had the Indianapolis 500 be their first victory of the season.
Palou could become the 15th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 the year after finishing second in the race. The last driver to do it was Dan Wheldon in 2011.
Palou could become the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500. Spain would become the 13th different nation to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
Best Finish: 8th (2021)
Car #21 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Palou could become the 15th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 the year after finishing second in the race. The last driver to do it was Dan Wheldon in 2011.
Palou could become the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500. Spain would become the 13th different nation to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
Rinus VeeKay
This will be VeeKay’s third Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 8th (2021)
Car #21 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Thirteen times has the Indianapolis 500 winner started third, most recently Takuma Sato two years ago.
VeeKay's only top five finish on an oval was a fourth-place finish in the second Gateway race in 2020.
VeeKay led 32 laps in last year's race, the third most in last year's race.
VeeKay could become the first driver born in the 21st century to win the Indianapolis 500. He would also be the youngest winner at 21 years, eight months and 18 days old. This is VeeKay’s last chance to become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner.
VeeKay could become the second Dutchman to win the Indianapolis 500 after Arie Luyendyk.
Row Two:
Ed Carpenter
This will be Carpenter’s 19th Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 2nd (2018).
Car #33 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Seven times has the winner started fourth, most recently Takuma Sato in 2017.
Carpenter could break Sam Hanks’ record for most starts before first Indianapolis 500 victory. Hanks’ won the 1957 Indianapolis 500, his 13th start in the race.
Carpenter could become the first Illinois-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Floyd Davis was a co-winner with Mauri Rose in 1941.
It has been 2,913 days since Carpenter's most recent IndyCar victory at Texas in 2014.
Carpenter needs to lead 54 laps to reach the 200 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500.
Carpenter could be the first driver to win the Freedom 100 and Indianapolis 500.
Carpenter has the 102nd best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 15.473.
Marcus Ericsson
This will be Ericsson’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 11th (2021)
Car #8 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times but not since Pat Flaherty in 1956.
Seven times has the winner started fifth, most recently Buddy Lazier in 1996.
This is Ericsson's best starting position of the season and it is only the third time he has started in the top five in his IndyCar career.
Ericsson was fourth in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. The only time he has consecutive top five finishes in his IndyCar career was last year at Mid-Ohio and Nashville. He was second at Mid-Ohio and famously won at Nashville.
Ericsson could become the second Swede to win the Indianapolis 500 after Kenny Bräck.
Tony Kanaan
This will be Kanaan’s 21st Indianapolis 500 start. 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #1 has won the Indianapolis 500 seven times but not since Al Unser in 1971.
Five times has the winner started sixth, most recently Dan Wheldon in 2011.
Kanaan has led a lap in 14 Indianapolis 500s, tied with Scott Dixon for most all-time.
If Kanaan leads a lap, he will break the record for most Indianapolis 500s led with this being his 15th Indianapolis 500 led.
Kanaan has led 346 laps, the second most amongst active drivers. If Kanaan leads 54 laps, he will become the 14th driver to lead 400 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Kanaan could become the second oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 47 years, four months and 29 days old.
Kanaan has the 56th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 12.85.
Kanaan joins Emerson Fittipaldi as the only Brazilians to use the #1 in the Indianapolis 500.
Kanaan could become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for Chevrolet and Honda in the DW12-era. He would become the 12th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 with multiple engine manufactures.
Kanaan could join Mario Andretti as the only drivers to win an IndyCar race in four different decades.
Best Finish: 4th (2021)
Car #5 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times but not since Arie Luyendyk in 1997.
Row Three:
Patricio O'Ward
This will be O’Ward third Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 4th (2021)
Car #5 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times but not since Arie Luyendyk in 1997.
Five times has the winner started seventh, most recently A.J. Foyt in 1961.
O'Ward led 17 laps last year, becoming the third Mexican driver to lead the Indianapolis 500, joining Josele Garza and Adrián Fernández.
O'Ward was 19th in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. He has never finished in the top ten in the race preceding the Indianapolis 500 in his career.
O’Ward could become the first Mexican driver to win the Indianapolis 500. Mexico would become the 13th different nation to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
O’Ward could become the third youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years and 23 days old.
Best Finish: 12th (2020)
Car #7 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice but not since Bill Holland in 1949.
O’Ward could become the first Mexican driver to win the Indianapolis 500. Mexico would become the 13th different nation to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
O’Ward could become the third youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years and 23 days old.
Felix Rosenqvist
This will be Rosenqvist’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 12th (2020)
Car #7 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice but not since Bill Holland in 1949.
Last year, Hélio Castroneves became the third Indianapolis 500 winner to start in the eighth position.
Rosenqvist could become the second driver with victories in the Macau Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 joining Takuma Sato.
Rosenqvist has not had a top five finish in his last 21 starts. He has never had a top five finish on an oval. His best oval finish was seventh in the second Gateway race in 2020.
Rosenqvist led a lap in each of his two Indianapolis 500 starts, six laps in 2019, eight laps in 2020 and 14 laps last year. He is currently tied with Graham Rahal for the 132nd most laps led in an Indianapolis 500 career and he has led more laps in the Indianapolis 500 than Fernando Alonso, Jimmie Vasser and Jacques Villeneuve.
Kenny Bräck has the most laps led for a Swede in Indianapolis 500 history with 89 laps led.
Rosenqvist could become the second Swede to win the Indianapolis 500 after Kenny Bräck.
Rosenqvist could become the second Swede to win the Indianapolis 500 after Kenny Bräck.
Romain Grosjean
This will be Grosjean’s first Indianapolis 500 start. Car #28 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Ryan Hunter-Reay 2014.
Only once has the winner started ninth and that was Emerson Fittipaldi in 1993.
Grosjean was the top rookie qualifier. This is the fourth time in seven years Andretti Autosport had the top rookie qualifier.
This will be Grosjean's second oval start after finishing 14th at Gateway last year.
Grosjean has four podium finishes in 18 career starts.
This will be Grosjean's 19th career start. Eight drivers have had their first career victory in their 19th career start (Earl Devore, Pat O'Connor, Elmer George, Parnelli Jones, Al Unser, Jr. Greg Ray, Dan Wheldon and Rinus VeeKay).
Grosjean could become the fifth different Frenchman to win the Indianapolis 500.
Grosjean could become the first Frenchman to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
Grosjean could become the second Frenchman to win the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie after 1913 winner Jules Goux.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2017, 2020).
Car #51 won the 1998 Indianapolis 500 with Eddie Cheever.
Row Four:
Takuma Sato
This will be Sato’s 13th Indianapolis 500 start. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2017, 2020).
Car #51 won the 1998 Indianapolis 500 with Eddie Cheever.
Twice has the winner started tenth, most recently Gil de Ferran in 2003.
Sato needs to lead 15 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sato is the only multi-time Indianapolis 500 winner to have led fewer than 100 laps. Sixty-four drivers have led at least 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Sato could become the sixth oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 45 years, four months and one day old. He would become the first driver to win three Indianapolis 500s after turning 40 years old.
Sato could join A.J. Foyt, Bobby Unser and Al Unser as the only drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 with three different teams.
Sato has the 117th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 16.181818.
2018 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #12 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, most recently with Power in 2019. The other was Peter DePaolo in 1925 driving the #12 Miller.
Sato has the 117th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 16.181818.
Will Power
This will be Power’s 15th Indianapolis 500 start. 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #12 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, most recently with Power in 2019. The other was Peter DePaolo in 1925 driving the #12 Miller.
Three times has the winner started 11th, most recently Alexander Rossi in 2016.
Power has five consecutive top five finishes entering the Indianapolis 500 and leads the IndyCar championship for the first time since after the second Belle Isle race in 2018.
The championship lead has changed after the Indianapolis 500 in five of the eight seasons since double points were awarded for the race.
Power is currently tied with Johnny Rutherford for the fifth most 500-mile race victories in IndyCar history with five.
Power needs to lead 56 laps to reach the 200 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500.
Power is tied for the 57th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 12.8571 with Earl Cooper.
Jimmie Johnson
This will be Johnson’s first Indianapolis 500 start. Car #48 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Bobby Unser 1975.
Twice has the winner started 12th, most recently Tony Kanaan in 2013.
Johnson will be the third oldest rookie in Indianapolis 500 history behind only Jean Alesi and Jack Hewitt.
Johnson becomes the 61st driver to start the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500.
Johnson could become the third oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 46 years, eight months and 12 days old.
Johnson could become the third oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 46 years, eight months and 12 days old.
Johnson could become the third driver to win the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500, joining Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt.
Johnson could become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400. He would also be the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Johnson has the 22nd best average finish among the 89 drivers with at least five Brickyard 400 starts at 16.5.
Johnson led 306 laps in his 18 Brickyard 400 starts, fourth all-time behind Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch.
Row Five:
David Malukas
This will be Malukas’ first Indianapolis 500 start. Car #18 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Four times has the winner started 13th, most recently Hélio Castroneves in 2002.
Malukas could become the first Dale Coyne Racing driver to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
Malukas suffered an accident in Carb Day practice after contact with Santino Ferrucci entering turn one.
Malukas could become the first driver born in the 21st century to win the Indianapolis 500. He would also be the youngest winner at 20 years, eight months and two days old.
Malukas could become the first Illinois-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Floyd Davis was a co-winner with Mauri Rose in 1941.
Josef Newgarden
This will be Newgarden’s 11th Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 3rd (2016).
Car #2 has won the Indianapolis 500 nine times, most recently Juan Pablo Montoya 2015.
Only once has the winner started 14th and that was Bob Sweikert in 1955.
Newgarden is one of six drivers with at least 20 career victories but no Indianapolis 500 victories. The other drivers are Michael Andretti, Sébastien Bourdais, Paul Tracy, Ted Horn and Tony Bettenhausen.
Newgarden could be the first driver to win the Freedom 100 and Indianapolis 500.
Newgarden could become the first driver to win the Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Indianapolis 500 in the same season since Hélio Castroneves in 2001. The only other driver to win Long Beach and Indianapolis in the same season was Al Unser, Jr. in 1994.
Newgarden could become the first Tennessee-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500.
Newgarden has the 77th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 14.3.
Newgarden's team won the Carb Day Pit Stop Competition. He is the first Americans driver to win the pit stop competition since Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2005. Six times has the pit stop competition winner gone on to win the Indianapolis 500, most recently was Hélio Castroneves in 2009.
Best Finish: 4th (2020)
Car #23 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, 1931 with Louis Schneider and 1938 with Floyd Roberts. Those are the only race victories for car #23 in IndyCar history
Santino Ferrucci
This will be Ferrucci’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 4th (2020)
Car #23 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, 1931 with Louis Schneider and 1938 with Floyd Roberts. Those are the only race victories for car #23 in IndyCar history
Four times has the winner started 15th, most recently Juan Pablo Montoya in 2015.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is the third different team Ferrucci has driven for in his four Indianapolis 500 appearances. This is Ferrucci's first IndyCar start in a Chevrolet-powered car.
This is Ferrucci's best starting position in the Indianapolis 500. This is the best starting position for a Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry since Oriol Servià started 13th for the 2013 Indianapolis 500.
Ferrucci has finished in the top ten in each of his first three Indianapolis 500 starts.
Ferrucci scored fastest lap in last year's race, the 12th consecutive different driver to have fastest lap in the Indianapolis 500. The last driver to have fastest lap in consecutive Indianapolis 500s was Tony Stewart in 1997-98.
Ferrucci could become the first Connecticut-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 and he would be just the second Nutmugger to win an IndyCar race, joining Scott Sharp.
Ferrucci could become the fifth youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years, 11 months and 29 days old.
Row Six:
Simon Pagenaud
This will be Pagenaud’s 11th Indianapolis 500 start. 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner
Car #60 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Twice has the winner started 16th, most recently Dario Franchitti in 2012.
Pagenaud has not won a race in his last 30 starts.
Pagenaud has finished in the top five of the sixth race of the season the last three years.
Pagenaud could become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for Chevrolet and Honda in the DW12-era. He would become the 12th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 with multiple engine manufactures.
Pagenaud will tie Oriol Servià for second most Indianapolis 500 starts for a European driver behind only Arie Luyendyk, who made 17 Indianapolis 500 starts.
Pagenaud needs to lead 31 laps to reach the 200 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500.
Pagenaud has the 31st best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 11.1.
J.R. Hildebrand
This will be Hildebrand’s 12th Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 2nd (2011).
Car #11 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Tony Kanaan 2013.
Twice has the winner started 17th, most recently Eddie Cheever in 1998.
This is Hildebrand's best Indianapolis 500 starting position since starting sixth in 2017.
Hildebrand has finished outside the top ten in his last 11 IndyCar starts.
Hildebrand has led 13 laps in his Indianapolis 500 career, but has not led since the 2017 race.
Hildebrand has the 71st best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 13.7272.
Conor Daly
This will be Daly’s ninth Indianapolis 500 and hopefully eighth start. Best Finish: 10th (2019)
Car #20 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times but not since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1989.
The best finish for the 18th-starter is second, which occurred in 1920 by René Thomas and in 2009 and 2010 by Dan Wheldon.
Daly led 40 laps in last year’s race, the most laps led. The last driver to lead the most laps in the Indianapolis 500 and then win the race the following year was Al Unser in 1971, the second consecutive victory for Unser.
The last driver to lead the most laps in the Indianapolis 500 but not win it and then win the race the following year was Parnelli Jones, who led the most laps in 1962 but finished 12th before winning in 1963, a race where he also led the most laps.
Daly has the 244th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 23.375.
Daly could become the first Hoosier-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Wilbur Shaw in 1940.
Row Seven:
Callum Ilott
This will be Ilott’s first Indianapolis 500 start.Car #77 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Twice has the winner started 19th, most recently Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2014.
This is Juncos Hollinger Racing's first Indianapolis 500 appearance since 2019. The team's best finish in the race was 15th in 2017 with Sebastián Saavedra.
Ilott could become the first Briton to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year since Nigel Mansell in 1993. The only other British drivers to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year are Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart.
Ilott could become the fourth youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years, six months and 18 days.
Ilott joins Harris Insinger as the only drivers to start the Indianapolis 500 with a last name beginning with the letter "I." Insinger started 31st and finished 14th in the 1935 race, completing 185 laps.
2016 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #27 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Dario Franchitti in 2007.
Alexander Rossi
This will be Rossi’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.2016 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #27 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Dario Franchitti in 2007.
Three times has the winner started 20th, most recently Al Unser in 1987.
Rossi has not finished in the top five in seven consecutive races. He has not had a top five finish on an oval since he was second at Texas in 2019.
Rossi has not won in his last 42 starts.
Rossi needs to lead 23 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-four drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Rossi has only led laps twice in the last 21 races, two laps at the first Belle Isle race in 2021 and ten laps at St. Petersburg this year. He has not led an oval race since he led 17 laps in the 2020 Indianapolis 500.
Rossi is tied for the 38th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 11.667 with Frank Elliott, Vitor Meira and Jimmy Reece.
After finishing no worse than seventh in his first four Indianapolis 500 starts, Rossi has finished 27th and 29th the last two years.
Best Finish: 3rd (2011, 2020).
Car #15 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Buddy Rice in 2004.
Graham Rahal
This will be Rahal’s 15th Indianapolis 500 start.Best Finish: 3rd (2011, 2020).
Car #15 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Buddy Rice in 2004.
Only once has the winner started 21st and that was L.L. Corum and Joe Boyer in 1924.
Rahal could break Sam Hanks’ record for most starts before first Indianapolis 500 victory. Hanks’ first victory was in his 13th start.
Rahal has led 28 laps in his Indianapolis 500 career. His father Bobby led 126 laps in his 13 Indianapolis 500 starts.
Rahal could tie Salt Walther and George Snider for most 33rd-place finishes in the Indianapolis 500 at three.
Rahal has made 78 starts since his most recent IndyCar victory in the second Belle Isle race in 2017.
Rahal has the 166th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 18.0714. He is directly ahead of John Andretti (18.0833), Peter Revson (18.2) and Mario Andretti (18.25).
Row Eight:
Sage Karam
This will be Karam’s ninth Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 7th (2021).
Car #24 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Graham Hill 1966.
Twice has the winner started 22nd but not since Kelly Petillo in 1935.
This is Karam's best starting position in the Indianapolis 500 since he started 21st in 2017. Karam has never started inside the top twenty for the Indianapolis 500.
Karam was seventh in last year's Indianapolis 500, his most recent IndyCar start. He has never had consecutive top ten finishes in his IndyCar career.
This will be the 25th start of Karam's IndyCar career.
Karam could become the first Pennsylvania-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Bill Holland in 1949.
Karam has the 235th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 22.125.
Karam has the 235th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 22.125.
Marco Andretti
This will be Andretti’s 17th Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 2nd (2006).
Car #98 has won the Indianapolis 500 four times, most recently Alexander Rossi 2016.
The best finish for the 23rd-starter is second by Wilbur Shaw in 1933.
Andretti could break Sam Hanks’ record for most starts before first Indianapolis 500 victory. Hanks’ won the 1957 Indianapolis 500, his 13th start in the race.
Andretti needs to lead 59 laps to reach the 200 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500.
He has not finished in the top five of his last six Indianapolis 500 starts after having five top five finishes in his first ten Indianapolis 500 starts. He has also not led a lap in any of the last six races after leading a lap in seven of his first ten Indianapolis 500s.
Andretti needs to lead 59 laps to reach the 200 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500.
He has not finished in the top five of his last six Indianapolis 500 starts after having five top five finishes in his first ten Indianapolis 500 starts. He has also not led a lap in any of the last six races after leading a lap in seven of his first ten Indianapolis 500s.
Andretti could become the first Pennsylvania-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Bill Holland in 1949.
A victory for Andretti would make him and his grandfather Mario the first grandfather-grandson duo to win the Indianapolis 500.
If Andretti complete 41 laps, he will surpass his grandfather Mario’s Indianapolis 500 lap total of 3,040.
Andretti has the 53rd best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 12.4375.
This will be the 250th start in Andretti's IndyCar career. He will become the 17th driver with 250 starts. Andretti has made 158 starts since his most recent IndyCar victory at Iowa in 2011. The record for most starts between victories is 124, which Graham Rahal set in 2015.
Car #29 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Devlin DeFrancesco
This will be DeFrancesco’s first Indianapolis 500 start.Car #29 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
The best finish for the 24th-starter is fourth on five occasions (Denny Hulme in 1967, Mel Kenyon in 1969, Sammy Sessions in 1972, Eliseo Salazar in 1995 and Townsend Bell in 2009).
This is the worst starting position of DeFrancesco's career. He has finished worse than his starting position in four of his five starts this season.
DeFrancesco could become the second youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 22 years, four months and 12 days old.
DeFrancesco could become the second Canadian Indianapolis 500 winner.
DeFrancesco could become the second Canadian Indianapolis 500 winner.
DeFrancesco could become the fourth Canadian Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year after Jacques Villeneuve, Alex Tagliani and Robert Wickens.
Best Finish: 8th (2020)
Car #26 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, Dan Wheldon in 2005 and Takuma Sato 2017.
Herta could be the first driver to win the Freedom 100 and Indianapolis 500.
A top five finish for Colton would make him and Bryan Herta the tenth father/son duo to each have a top five finish in the Indianapolis 500.
Herta could become the first driver born in the 21st century to win the Indianapolis 500. He would also be the youngest winner at 22 years, one month, and 29 days old. This is Herta’s last chance to become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner.
Row Nine:
Colton Herta
This will be Herta’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 8th (2020)
Car #26 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, Dan Wheldon in 2005 and Takuma Sato 2017.
Only once has the winner started 25th and that was Johnny Rutherford in 1974.
Herta could be the first driver to win the Freedom 100 and Indianapolis 500.
A top five finish for Colton would make him and Bryan Herta the tenth father/son duo to each have a top five finish in the Indianapolis 500.
Herta could become the third driver in the last five seasons to win the race before the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis 500.
Herta could become the first driver born in the 21st century to win the Indianapolis 500. He would also be the youngest winner at 22 years, one month, and 29 days old. This is Herta’s last chance to become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner.
Herta had an accident in Carb Day practice after hitting the barrier exiting turn one and flipping over after air got under the front wing. Herta walked away from the accident and has been cleared to drive. He will be driving a backup car.
Best Finish: 20th (2021)
Car #3 has won the Indianapolis 500 eleven times, the most victories for a car number. The last victory was in 2009 with Hélio Castroneves.
McLaughlin was Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year last year.
The last reigning Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year to win the following Indianapolis 500 was Hélio Castroneves in 2002, who won the race in 2001. The next previous time it happened was in 1995, when Jacques Villeneuve won the race after finishing runner-up as a rookie in 1994. The only other reigning Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year to win the race the following year was Rick Mears, who shared the 1978 rookie of the year honor with Larry Rice, and then won the 1979.
McLaughlin could become the first driver to win the Bathurst 1000 and the Indianapolis 500.
Four-time and defending Indianapolis 500 winner (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021).
Castroneves’ victory last year was the first Indianapolis 500 victory for car #06.
Castroneves could become the first five-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
Castroneves could become the first driver to win consecutive Indianapolis 500s on multiple occasions.
Castroneves has the seventh best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 8.309. He cannot move up the order, as a victory will only lower his average finish to 8.045 and Carlos Muñoz is seventh all-time at 7.5. As long as Castroneves finishes 17th or better, he will not fall behind Tom Alley and Albert Guyot, who both had an average finish of 8.8 in their Indianapolis 500 careers.
Castroneves has led 325 laps in the Indianapolis, which has him ranked 18th all-time. If he leads 75 laps, he will become the 14th driver to lead 400 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
If Castroneves completes two laps, he will become the third driver to complete 4,000 lap (10,000 miles) in an Indianapolis 500 career joining A.J. Foyt and Al Unser.
Car #14 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times, most recently with Kenny Bräck in 1999.
Kellett could become the second Canadian to win the Indianapolis 500.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #6 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times, most recently with Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2006.
Montoya needs to lead seven laps to become the 31st driver to lead 200 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Montoya could join Bobby Unser and Rick Mears as the only drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 in three different decades.
Montoya has the 12th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 9.1667. A victory would lower Montoya’s average finish to eight and move him up to seventh all-time.
Car #30 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, Arie Luyendyk 1990 and Takuma Sato 2020.
Lundgaard could become the first driver born in the 21st century to win the Indianapolis 500. He would also be the youngest winner at 20 years, ten months and six days old.
Lundgaard will become the first Danish driver to start the Indianapolis 500.
Denmark will become the 30th different country represented in the Indianapolis 500. Denmark could become the 13th different country to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
Best Finish: 9th (2020).
Car #45 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Scott McLaughlin
This will be McLaughlin’s second Indianapolis 500 start.Best Finish: 20th (2021)
Car #3 has won the Indianapolis 500 eleven times, the most victories for a car number. The last victory was in 2009 with Hélio Castroneves.
The best finish for the 26th-starter is third by Don Freeland in 1956, Paul Goldsmith in 1960 and Simon Pagenaud last year.
McLaughlin was Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year last year.
The last reigning Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year to win the following Indianapolis 500 was Hélio Castroneves in 2002, who won the race in 2001. The next previous time it happened was in 1995, when Jacques Villeneuve won the race after finishing runner-up as a rookie in 1994. The only other reigning Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year to win the race the following year was Rick Mears, who shared the 1978 rookie of the year honor with Larry Rice, and then won the 1979.
McLaughlin could become the first driver to win the Bathurst 1000 and the Indianapolis 500.
Hélio Castroneves
This will be Castroneves’ 22nd Indianapolis 500 start.Four-time and defending Indianapolis 500 winner (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021).
Castroneves’ victory last year was the first Indianapolis 500 victory for car #06.
Castroneves will become the first driver to use #06 in multiple Indianapolis 500s.
Only once has the winner started 27th and that was by Fred Frame in 1932.
Castroneves could become the first five-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
Castroneves could become the first driver to win consecutive Indianapolis 500s on multiple occasions.
Castroneves has the seventh best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 8.309. He cannot move up the order, as a victory will only lower his average finish to 8.045 and Carlos Muñoz is seventh all-time at 7.5. As long as Castroneves finishes 17th or better, he will not fall behind Tom Alley and Albert Guyot, who both had an average finish of 8.8 in their Indianapolis 500 careers.
Castroneves has led 325 laps in the Indianapolis, which has him ranked 18th all-time. If he leads 75 laps, he will become the 14th driver to lead 400 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Castroneves could also match the record for most Indianapolis 500s led if neither Scott Dixon nor Tony Kanaan leads in this year's race. Castroneves has led in 13 Indianapolis 500s.
Castroneves could become the third oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 47 years and 19 days old.
A top ten finish would be Castroneves’ tenth in the Indianapolis 500 and he would join Al Unser and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to reach that milestone.
Castroneves could become the third oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 47 years and 19 days old.
A top ten finish would be Castroneves’ tenth in the Indianapolis 500 and he would join Al Unser and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to reach that milestone.
If Castroneves completes two laps, he will become the third driver to complete 4,000 lap (10,000 miles) in an Indianapolis 500 career joining A.J. Foyt and Al Unser.
Row Ten:
Kyle Kirkwood
This will be Kirkwood’s first Indianapolis 500 start.Car #14 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times, most recently with Kenny Bräck in 1999.
Twice has the winner started 28th, inaugural winner Ray Harroun in 1911 and Louis Meyer in 1936.
Kirkwood could become the third Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.
Kirkwood is the first American driver to use the #14 since A.J. Foyt IV in 2005.
Kirkwwod could become the fourth youngest driver to win the Indianapolis 500 at 23 years, seven months and ten days old.
Kirkwood could become the first Florida-born driver to not only win the Indianapolis 500 but to win any IndyCar race.
Best Finish: 24th (2021)
Car #4 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times but not since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1993.
Kirkwood could become the first Florida-born driver to not only win the Indianapolis 500 but to win any IndyCar race.
Dalton Kellett
This will be Kellett’s third Indianapolis 500 startBest Finish: 24th (2021)
Car #4 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times but not since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1993.
The best finish for the 29th-starter is second in 1911 by Ralph Mulford and in 2002 by Paul Tracy.
This is the second consecutive year Kellett has started on row ten. He has started outside the top twenty in five consecutive races. He has retired from three of five races this season.
Kellett suffered an accident in the Monday practice after qualifying weekend.
This will be Kellett's 30th IndyCar start. He has three lead lap finishes in his career, all coming in 2021 (Texas I, Gateway and Long Beach).
Kellett could become the second Canadian to win the Indianapolis 500.
Juan Pablo Montoya
This will be Montoya’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start. Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #6 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times, most recently with Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2006.
The best finish for the 30th-starter was fourth in 1936 by Mauri Rose.
This is the worst starting position in Montoya's IndyCar career. His previous worst starting position was 25th in the 2021 Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
Montoya needs to lead seven laps to become the 31st driver to lead 200 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Montoya could join Bobby Unser and Rick Mears as the only drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 in three different decades.
Montoya could join A.J. Foyt, Bobby Unser and Al Unser as the only drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 with three different teams.
Montoya could become the third oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 46 years, eight months and nine days old.
Montoya could become the third oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 46 years, eight months and nine days old.
Montoya could join Mario Andretti as the only drivers to win an IndyCar race in four different decades.
Montoya has the 12th best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 9.1667. A victory would lower Montoya’s average finish to eight and move him up to seventh all-time.
Row Eleven:
Christian Lundgaard
This will be Lundgaard’s first Indianapolis 500 start. Car #30 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, Arie Luyendyk 1990 and Takuma Sato 2020.
The best finish for the 31st-starter is fourth in 1951 by Andy Linden.
Lundgaard could become the first driver born in the 21st century to win the Indianapolis 500. He would also be the youngest winner at 20 years, ten months and six days old.
Lundgaard will become the first Danish driver to start the Indianapolis 500.
Denmark will become the 30th different country represented in the Indianapolis 500. Denmark could become the 13th different country to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
Jack Harvey
This will be Harvey’s sixth Indianapolis 500 start. Best Finish: 9th (2020).
Car #45 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
The best finish for the 32nd-starter is second in 1957 by Jim Rathmann and 1981 by Mario Andretti.
Harvey could become the first driver to win the Freedom 100 and Indianapolis 500.
Harvey is tied for the 183rd best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 19th with Geoff Brabham, Andy Linden and Paul Tracy.
Harvey is tied for the 183rd best average finish among the 258 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 19th with Geoff Brabham, Andy Linden and Paul Tracy.
This is the worst starting position of Harvey's IndyCar career and his second time starting on the last row of the Indianapolis 500.
Harvey has never finished in the top five of an IndyCar oval race. His best oval finish is seventh on three occasions, both Iowa races in 2020 and the first Texas race last year.
Best Finish: 15th (2018)
Car #25 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Al Unser’s fourth victory in 1987.
Stefan Wilson
This will be Wilson's fourth Indianapolis 500 start.Best Finish: 15th (2018)
Car #25 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Al Unser’s fourth victory in 1987.
The best finish for the 33rd-starter is second in 1980 by Tom Sneva and 1992 by Scott Goodyear.
Wilson becomes the fifth driver in Indianapolis 500 history to make the race with an official qualifying speed of 000.000 mph.
Wilson is the first driver to finish last in the Indianapolis 500 and then return the following year to start last in the Indianapolis 500 since Johnny Unser, who finished 33rd in 1996 and started 35th in 1997 after Lyn St. James and Unser had their times reinstated to ensure the fastest 33 cars started the race during the 25/8-rule era.
Wilson could join Andy Linden and Salt Walther as the only drivers to finish last in consecutive Indianapolis 500s.
NBC's pre-race coverage for the 106th Indianapolis 500 will begin at 11:00 a.m. ET. Green flag is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET. The race is scheduled for 200 laps.
