It has already been an eventful May in Speedway, Indiana. A rookie is on pole position. The defending winner of the last two years starts on the final row. In-between are 30 hopefuls, some looking for that first taste of glory. Others see to find if the first sip was as sweet as they remember. A few people are probably thinking they are fortunate to be there and hope just to see it through lap one. There are our favorites and the few names we anticipate wearing a wreath and kissing a trophy when the 500 miles are complete, but for the underdogs the hope remains strong that when the world expects it least, this will be their day.
Starting Grid
Row 1:
This will be Shwartzman’s first Indianapolis 500 start.
Car #83 has never won the Indianapolis 500
Twenty-one times has the pole-sitter won the race, most recently Simon Pagenaud 2019.
Shwartzman became the first rookie to win pole position for the Indianapolis 500 since Teo Fabi in 1983. Shwartzman is the first rookie on the front row since Carlos Muñoz started second in 2013.
Ten rookies have won the Indianapolis 500, most recently Alexander Rossi in 2016. Of the ten rookie winners, only two started in the top ten. Juan Pablo Montoya won from second in 2000, and Jules Goux won from seventh in 1913.
Shwartzman could become the tenth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 25 years, eight months and nine days old.
Shwratzman will become the first Israeli driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
Israel could be the 16th country to produce an Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
Shwartzman won the 2019 FIA Formula Three championship. He could become the first driver to win the FIA Formula Three/GP3 Series championship and Indianapolis 500.
This will be Shwartzman’s first career oval start. He has finished 18th in two of the last three races this season, his career-best finish over his first five starts.
This will be Sato’s 16th Indianapolis 500 start.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2017, 2020).
Car #75 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Eleven times has the winner started second, most recently Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000.
This is Sato's best starting position in his Indianapolis 500 career. He has started inside the top five in two other Indianapolis 500s. He started fourth in 2017 and third in 2020. Sato won both those races.
Sato had a mechanical issue during Carb Day practice on Friday, which caused him to stop on course.
Sato needs to lead 13 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sato and Josef Newgarden are the only multi-time Indianapolis 500 winners to have led fewer than 100 laps. Sixty-five drivers have led at least 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Sato has the 109th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 15.8667. A victory would lower Sato's average finish to 14.9375, putting him 94th all-time. The worst Sato’s average finish can be after this race is 16.9375, dropping him to 146th all-time.
Sato could become the oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 48 years, three months and 27 days old. Sato would become the first driver to win three Indianapolis 500s after turning 40 years old.
Patricio O’Ward
This will be O’Ward sixth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2022, 2024)
Car #5 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times but not since Arie Luyendyk in 1997.
Last year, Josef Newgarden's victory was the 14th time the winner has started third.
Sato needs to lead 13 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sato and Josef Newgarden are the only multi-time Indianapolis 500 winners to have led fewer than 100 laps. Sixty-five drivers have led at least 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Sato has the 109th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 15.8667. A victory would lower Sato's average finish to 14.9375, putting him 94th all-time. The worst Sato’s average finish can be after this race is 16.9375, dropping him to 146th all-time.
Sato could become the oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 48 years, three months and 27 days old. Sato would become the first driver to win three Indianapolis 500s after turning 40 years old.
Patricio O’Ward
This will be O’Ward sixth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2022, 2024)
Car #5 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times but not since Arie Luyendyk in 1997.
Last year, Josef Newgarden's victory was the 14th time the winner has started third.
The same starting position has not produced consecutive Indianapolis 500 winners since 2008 and 2009 when the pole-sitter won both years. The last time a position other than pole produced consecutive Indianapolis 500 winner was in 1989 and 1990 when both winners started third.
Since 2012, the only starting position to produce multiple Indianapolis 500 winners is third (2018, 2020, 2024).
O’Ward could become the 15th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 the year after finishing second in the race. The most recent driver to do it was Dan Wheldon in 2011.
O’Ward could become the fourth past Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden.
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 needs to lead seven laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-five drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
O’Ward will miss out on cracking the top ten youngest Indianapolis 500 winners by two days if he wins this year’s race. He will be 26 years and 19 days old. Hélio Castroneves is currently tenth after his 2001 victory.
O’Ward has the eighth best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 7.6. A victory would lower O’Ward’s average finish to 6.5, moving him to tied for 5th all-time with Harry Hartz. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 11.8333, which would drop him to 47th all-time.
This will be Dixon’s 23rd 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.
Seven times has the winner started fourth, most recently Takuma Sato in 2017.
Dixon is the all-time leader in Indianapolis 500 laps led with 677.
Dixon is 33 laps ahead of Al Unser in second.
Dixon is 339 laps ahead of the next closest active driver (Hélio Castroneves, 326 laps led).
Dixon has led in 16 Indianapolis 500s, the most all-time.
Dixon has led the most laps in the Indianapolis 500 a record six times.
This will be Dixon’s 408th IndyCar start, breaking Mario Andretti’s record for most starts in IndyCar history.
Dixon has completed all 500 miles in seven consecutive Indianapolis 500s, tied for the longest streak in the history of the race. Last year, he surpassed 4,000 laps completed in an Indianapolis 500 career, the fourth driver to reach the milestone.
Dixon is currently in an eight-way tie 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.
O’Ward could become the 15th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 the year after finishing second in the race. The most recent driver to do it was Dan Wheldon in 2011.
O’Ward could become the fourth past Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden.
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 needs to lead seven laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-five drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
O’Ward will miss out on cracking the top ten youngest Indianapolis 500 winners by two days if he wins this year’s race. He will be 26 years and 19 days old. Hélio Castroneves is currently tenth after his 2001 victory.
O’Ward has the eighth best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 7.6. A victory would lower O’Ward’s average finish to 6.5, moving him to tied for 5th all-time with Harry Hartz. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 11.8333, which would drop him to 47th all-time.
Row 2:
Scott Dixon This will be Dixon’s 23rd 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.
Seven times has the winner started fourth, most recently Takuma Sato in 2017.
Dixon is the all-time leader in Indianapolis 500 laps led with 677.
Dixon is 33 laps ahead of Al Unser in second.
Dixon is 339 laps ahead of the next closest active driver (Hélio Castroneves, 326 laps led).
Dixon has led in 16 Indianapolis 500s, the most all-time.
Dixon has led the most laps in the Indianapolis 500 a record six times.
This will be Dixon’s 408th IndyCar start, breaking Mario Andretti’s record for most starts in IndyCar history.
Dixon has completed all 500 miles in seven consecutive Indianapolis 500s, tied for the longest streak in the history of the race. Last year, he surpassed 4,000 laps completed in an Indianapolis 500 career, the fourth driver to reach the milestone.
Dixon is currently in an eight-way tie 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.
A top five finish would be Dixon’ tenth in the Indianapolis 500 and he would join Al Unser and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to reach that milestone.
Dixon has the 30th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 10.5454. A victory would lower his average finish to 10.1304 and put him 24th all-time. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 11.5217, which would drop him to 38th all-time.
Dixon could become the sixth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, ten months and three days old.
Felix Rosenqvist
This will be Rosenqvist’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 4th (2022)
Car #60 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Eight time has the winner started fifth, most recently Marcus Ericsson in 2022.
Rosenqvist could become the third Swedish driver to win the Indianapolis 500.
Rosenqvist could become the second driver with victories in the Macau Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 joining Takuma Sato.
Dixon has the 30th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 10.5454. A victory would lower his average finish to 10.1304 and put him 24th all-time. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 11.5217, which would drop him to 38th all-time.
Dixon could become the sixth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, ten months and three days old.
Felix Rosenqvist
This will be Rosenqvist’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 4th (2022)
Car #60 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Eight time has the winner started fifth, most recently Marcus Ericsson in 2022.
Rosenqvist could become the third Swedish driver to win the Indianapolis 500.
Rosenqvist could become the second driver with victories in the Macau Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 joining Takuma Sato.
Rosenqvist won the 2015 FIA Formula Three championship driving for Prema. He could become the first driver to win the FIA Formula Three/GP3 Series championship and Indianapolis 500.
Rosenqvist needs to lead 39 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-five drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Rosenqvist has finished 27th in three of the last four Indianapolis 500s. He is tied with Wilbur Shaw and Russ Snowberger for most 27th-place finishes in Indianapolis 500 history. He has completed all 500 miles only twice in six starts.
Rosenqvist has the 223rd best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 20.8333. A victory would lower his average finish to 18.0, moving him up to tied for 170th all-time with Jerry Karl and Rex Mays. The worst Rosenqvist's average finish can be after this race is 22.5714, which would drop him to 248th all-time.
It has been four years, ten months and 14 days since Rosenqvist’s only IndyCar victory (July 12, 2020 at Road America). It has been 80 starts since that victory.
This will be Palou’s sixth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2021)
Car #10 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Dario Franchitti 2010.
Five times has the winner started sixth, most recently Dan Wheldon in 2011.
With four victories and a second-place finish in the first five races of the season, Palou’s average finish of 1.2 is the best through five races since A.J. Foyt won the first five races of the 1964 season.
Palou could become the first defending IndyCar champion to win the Indianapolis 500 since Dario Franchitti in 2012.
Palou has led 119 laps in his Indianapolis 500 career, 57th all-time. If he leads 20 laps, he will enter the top 50 in laps led in an Indianapolis 500 career. He has led a lap in four consecutive Indianapolis 500s.
Palou could become the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500. Spain would become the 13th different nation to produce an Indianapolis 500 winner.
Palou is tied for the 17th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 9.6. A victory would lower Palou’s average finish to 8.1667, moving him to ninth all-time. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 13.5, which would drop him to tied for 70th all-time.
Row 3:
David Malukas This will be Malukas’ third Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 16th (2022)
Car #4 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times, most recently with Emerson Fittipaldi in 1993.
Five times has the winner started seventh, most recently A.J. Foyt in 1961.
Malukas could become the first Indianapolis 500 veteran to win the race a year after not participating since Al Unser won in 1970.
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.
Malukas could become the fourth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years, seven months and 28 days old. Malukas could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Malukas is still looking for his first career victory, and this will be his 50th career start. Twenty-eight drivers in IndyCar history have taken 50 starts or more for a first career victory.
This will be Lundgaard’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 13th (2024)
Car #7 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice but not since Bill Holland in 1949.
Three times has the Indianapolis 500 winner started eighth, most recently Hélio Castroneves 2021.
This is Lundgaard's best starting position in the Indianapolis 500. His previous best was 28th last year.
Lundgaard’s finishing position has improved over each of his first three Indianapolis 500 starts.
Lundgaard’s finishing position has improved over each of his first three Indianapolis 500 starts.
Lundgaard has three podium finishes this season, his most in a single season. He is one top five finish away from matching his single season best of four.
Lundgaard could become the fourth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years, ten months and two days old. Lundgaard could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
It has been 29 starts since Lundgaard's only IndyCar victory at Toronto in 2023.
Marcus Ericsson
This will be Ericsson’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.
2022 Indianapolis 500 winner
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.
Ericsson was 33rd in last year’s Indianapolis 500. The only occurrence of a driver finishing last in the Indianapolis 500 and returning to win the following year is Mario Andretti in 1969 after finishing 33rd in 1968.
Last year, Ericsson became the 14th driver to have won the Indianapolis 500 and finished last in the Indianapolis 500. The others are Howdy Wilcox, Louis Schneider, Bill Cummings, Sam Hanks, Jimmy Bryan, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Tom Sneva, Buddy Lazier, Danny Sullivan, Kenny Bräck, Takuma Sato and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Ericsson is tied for the 146th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 17.0. A victory would lower his average finish to 14.7142, moving him up to tied for 91st all-time. The worst Ericsson’s average finish can be after this race is 19.2857, which would drop him to tied for 194th all-time with Dominic Dobson.
This will be Ericsson’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.
2022 Indianapolis 500 winner
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.
Ericsson was 33rd in last year’s Indianapolis 500. The only occurrence of a driver finishing last in the Indianapolis 500 and returning to win the following year is Mario Andretti in 1969 after finishing 33rd in 1968.
Last year, Ericsson became the 14th driver to have won the Indianapolis 500 and finished last in the Indianapolis 500. The others are Howdy Wilcox, Louis Schneider, Bill Cummings, Sam Hanks, Jimmy Bryan, Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Tom Sneva, Buddy Lazier, Danny Sullivan, Kenny Bräck, Takuma Sato and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Ericsson is tied for the 146th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 17.0. A victory would lower his average finish to 14.7142, moving him up to tied for 91st all-time. The worst Ericsson’s average finish can be after this race is 19.2857, which would drop him to tied for 194th all-time with Dominic Dobson.
It has been 39 starts since Ericsson's most recent victory at St. Petersburg in 2023.
Row 4:
Scott McLaughlin
This will be McLaughlin’s fifth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 6th (2024)
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.
Twice has the winner started tenth, most recently Gil de Ferran in 2003.
This will be McLaughlin’s fifth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 6th (2024)
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.
Twice has the winner started tenth, most recently Gil de Ferran in 2003.
After an accident during practice ahead of the Fast 12 session last Sunday, McLaughlin has switched to a backup car.
McLaughlin led a race-high 66 laps in last year’s Indianapolis 500. McLaughlin needs to lead 34 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-five drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
McLaughlin has completed all 500 miles in three of his four Indianapolis 500 starts.
McLaughlin could become the first driver to win the Bathurst 1000 and the Indianapolis 500.
McLaughlin could become the second New Zealander to win the Indianapolis 500, but the first New Zealand-born driver to win the race. New Zealand could become the sixth nation to produce multiple Indianapolis 500 winners.
McLaughlin led a race-high 66 laps in last year’s Indianapolis 500. McLaughlin needs to lead 34 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-five drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
McLaughlin has completed all 500 miles in three of his four Indianapolis 500 starts.
McLaughlin could become the first driver to win the Bathurst 1000 and the Indianapolis 500.
McLaughlin could become the second New Zealander to win the Indianapolis 500, but the first New Zealand-born driver to win the race. New Zealand could become the sixth nation to produce multiple Indianapolis 500 winners.
Conor Daly
This will be Daly’s 12th Indianapolis 500 and hopefully his 11th start.
Best Finish: 6th (2022)
Car #76 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Three times has the winner started 11th, most recently Alexander Rossi in 2016.
This will be the first Indianapolis 500 to feature car #76 since Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. used the number in 1993. It is only the eighth time car #76 has been used in the Indianapolis 500.
Daly could become the first Hoosier-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Wilbur Shaw in 1940.
This will be Daly’s 12th Indianapolis 500 and hopefully his 11th start.
Best Finish: 6th (2022)
Car #76 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Three times has the winner started 11th, most recently Alexander Rossi in 2016.
This will be the first Indianapolis 500 to feature car #76 since Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. used the number in 1993. It is only the eighth time car #76 has been used in the Indianapolis 500.
Daly could become the first Hoosier-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 since Wilbur Shaw in 1940.
Daly has finished in the top ten in three consecutive Indianapolis 500s, and he has led a lap in three of the last four Indianapolis 500s.
Daly has the 192nd best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 19.1818. A victory would lower his average finish to 17.667, moving him up to 166th all-time. The worst Daly’s average finish can be after this race is 20.333, dropping him to tied for 216th all-time with Henry Banks.
Daly is still looking for his first IndyCar victory and this will be his 120th career start. Only two drivers took more starts before their first career victory (Michel Jourdain, Jr. - 129, George Snider - 126).
Alexander Rossi
This will be Rossi’s tenth Indianapolis 500 start.
2016 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Car #20 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times but not since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1989.
Twice has the winner started 12th, most recently Tony Kanaan in 2013.
Rossi needs to lead seven laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Sixty-five drivers have led 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Rossi could become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for Chevrolet and Honda in the DW12-era. He would become the 13th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 with multiple engine manufacturers.
Rossi has six top five finishes and seven top ten finishes in nine Indianapolis 500 starts. This includes three consecutive top five finishes in the Indianapolis 500.
Rossi has the 44th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 11.7. A victory would lower his average finish to 10.7272 and put him 32nd all-time. The worst Rossi’s average finish can be after this race is 13.6363, which would drop him to 73rd all-time.
Rossi has made 42 starts since his most recent victory, the July 2022 IMS road course race.
Row 5:
Kyffin Simpson
This will be Simpson’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 21st (2024)
Car #8 has won the Indianapolis 500, most recently with Marcus Ericsson in 2022.
This will be Simpson’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 21st (2024)
Car #8 has won the Indianapolis 500, most recently with Marcus Ericsson in 2022.
Four times has the winner started 13th, most recently Hélio Castroneves in 2002.
Simpson scored his first career top ten finish in IndyCar competition last month when he was tenth at Long Beach.
Last year, Simpson led three laps during a pit cycle before finishing 21st with all 200 laps completed.
Simpson scored his first career top ten finish in IndyCar competition last month when he was tenth at Long Beach.
Last year, Simpson led three laps during a pit cycle before finishing 21st with all 200 laps completed.
Simpson had an accident during Friday practice prior to qualifying and switched to a backup car.
Simpson could become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 20 years, seven months and 16 days old. This is the second of at least three chances Simpson will have at becoming the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner. He would be the youngest non-American winner. Simpson could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Simpson could become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 20 years, seven months and 16 days old. This is the second of at least three chances Simpson will have at becoming the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner. He would be the youngest non-American winner. Simpson could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Ed Carpenter
This will be Carpenter’s 22nd Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2018)
Car #33 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Only once has the winner started 14th and that was Bob Sweikert in 1955.
Carpenter will tie George Snider for most Indianapolis 500 starts without a victory if Carpenter does not win this weekend.
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.
Carpenter needs to lead one lap to become the 41st driver to lead at least 150 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career.
Carpenter has the 114th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 15.9523. A victory would lower his average finish to 15.2727, moving him up to 102nd all-time. The worst Carpenter’s average finish can be after this race is 16.7272, dropping him into a tie for 133rd all-time with Scott Goodyear.
Carpenter could become the eighth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, two months and 23 days old.
It has been ten years, 11 months and 19 days since Carpenter’s most recent IndyCar victory (June 6, 2014 at Texas Motor Speedway).
Santino Ferrucci
This will be Ferrucci’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 3rd (2024)
Car #14 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times, most recently with Kenny Bräck in 1999.
This will be Carpenter’s 22nd Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 2nd (2018)
Car #33 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Only once has the winner started 14th and that was Bob Sweikert in 1955.
Carpenter will tie George Snider for most Indianapolis 500 starts without a victory if Carpenter does not win this weekend.
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.
Carpenter needs to lead one lap to become the 41st driver to lead at least 150 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career.
Carpenter has the 114th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 15.9523. A victory would lower his average finish to 15.2727, moving him up to 102nd all-time. The worst Carpenter’s average finish can be after this race is 16.7272, dropping him into a tie for 133rd all-time with Scott Goodyear.
Carpenter could become the eighth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, two months and 23 days old.
It has been ten years, 11 months and 19 days since Carpenter’s most recent IndyCar victory (June 6, 2014 at Texas Motor Speedway).
Santino Ferrucci
This will be Ferrucci’s seventh Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 3rd (2024)
Car #14 has won the Indianapolis 500 six times, most recently with Kenny Bräck in 1999.
Four times has the winner started 15th, most recently Juan Pablo Montoya in 2015.
Last year, Ferrucci became the first driver in Indianapolis 500 history to record six top ten finishes in his first six Indianapolis 500 starts. The previous record was five top ten finishes in the first five Indianapolis 500 starts for each Harry Hartz and Hélio Castroneves. Hartz and Castroneves each finished 25th in their sixth Indianapolis 500 starts.
Ferrucci has led a lap in five of his six Indianapolis 500 starts, but he has led two laps or fewer in four of those races.
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 has the fourth best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 6.333. A victory would lower Ferrucci’s average finish to 5.5714. The worst Ferrucci’s average finish can be after this race is 10.1428, dropping him to tied for 24th all-time.
Ferrucci is still looking for his first career victory, and this will be his 83rd career start. It would be the eighth-most starts before a first career victory in IndyCar history.
Last year, Ferrucci became the first driver in Indianapolis 500 history to record six top ten finishes in his first six Indianapolis 500 starts. The previous record was five top ten finishes in the first five Indianapolis 500 starts for each Harry Hartz and Hélio Castroneves. Hartz and Castroneves each finished 25th in their sixth Indianapolis 500 starts.
Ferrucci has led a lap in five of his six Indianapolis 500 starts, but he has led two laps or fewer in four of those races.
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 has the fourth best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 6.333. A victory would lower Ferrucci’s average finish to 5.5714. The worst Ferrucci’s average finish can be after this race is 10.1428, dropping him to tied for 24th all-time.
Ferrucci is still looking for his first career victory, and this will be his 83rd career start. It would be the eighth-most starts before a first career victory in IndyCar history.
Row 6:
Devlin DeFrancescoThis will be DeFrancesco’s third Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 13th (2023)
Car #30 has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, Arie Luyendyk 1990 and Takuma Sato 2020.
Twice has the winner started 16th, most recently Dario Franchitti in 2012.
DeFrancesco could become the second Canadian to win the Indianapolis 500 after Jacques Villeneuve.
DeFrancesco has completed all 500 miles in each of his first two Indianapolis 500 starts, and he has finished better than his starting position in each of his first two starts.
DeFrancesco has made 39 starts in his IndyCar career, and he has yet to finish in the top ten of a race. He is currently ranked third all-time in starts without a top ten finish. Only one driver took more than 39 starts to get their first career top ten finish. That was Marco Greco, who scored his first top ten finish in his 42nd career start. DeFrancesco has finished outside the top fifteen in his last 13 starts.
Sting Ray Robb
This will be Robb’s third Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 16th (2024)
Car #77 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
This will be Robb’s third Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 16th (2024)
Car #77 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Three times has the winner started 17th, most recently Josef Newgarden in 2023.
This matches the best starting position for Robb in his IndyCar career after he started 17th two weeks ago in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Dating back to last season, this will be in the third time in eight races Robb has started inside the top twenty. He had zero top twenty starts in his first 31 IndyCar races.
Robb led 23 laps in last year’s Indianapolis 500, the third-most behind Scott McLaughlin (66) and Josef Newgarden (26).
In 12 career oval starts, his only top ten finish was ninth at Gateway last year.
Robb could become the first Idahoan to win the Indianapolis 500.
Christian Rasmussen
This will be Rasmussen’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 12th (2024)
Car #21 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
The best finish for the 18th-starter is second, which occurred in 1920 by René Thomas and in 2009 and 2010 by Dan Wheldon.
Rasmussen was the best finishing rookie in last year’s race finishing 12th. In four oval starts last year, Rasmussen finished in the top fifteen in three of them.
Rasmussen could become the fourth past Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden
Rasmussen could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 24 years, ten months and 26 days old. Rasmussen could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Robb led 23 laps in last year’s Indianapolis 500, the third-most behind Scott McLaughlin (66) and Josef Newgarden (26).
In 12 career oval starts, his only top ten finish was ninth at Gateway last year.
Robb could become the first Idahoan to win the Indianapolis 500.
Robb could become the fourth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 23 years, eight months and 23 days old. Robb could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
This will be Rasmussen’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 12th (2024)
Car #21 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
The best finish for the 18th-starter is second, which occurred in 1920 by René Thomas and in 2009 and 2010 by Dan Wheldon.
Rasmussen was the best finishing rookie in last year’s race finishing 12th. In four oval starts last year, Rasmussen finished in the top fifteen in three of them.
Rasmussen could become the fourth past Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden
Rasmussen could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 24 years, ten months and 26 days old. Rasmussen could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Row 7:
Kyle Larson
This will be Larson’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 18th (2024)
Car #17 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, 1916 with Dario Resta.
Twice has the winner started 19th, most recently Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2014.
Larson could become the first driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship and Indianapolis 500.
Larson could become the first driver to win the Knoxville Nationals and Indianapolis 500.
Larson won the Brickyard 400 last year, and he could become the first driver to win the Brickyard 400 and the Indianapolis 500.
Last year, Larson became the third Arrow McLaren driver to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, joining Robert Wickens, who won it in 2018 when the team was Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, and Patricio O’Ward, who won it in 2020.
The most recent driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in their sophomore year was Hélio Castroneves in 2002. The most recent driver to win the Indianapolis 500 as a sophomore after not winning as a rookie was Jacques Villeneuve in 1995.
This will be Larson’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 18th (2024)
Car #17 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, 1916 with Dario Resta.
Twice has the winner started 19th, most recently Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2014.
Larson could become the first driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship and Indianapolis 500.
Larson could become the first driver to win the Knoxville Nationals and Indianapolis 500.
Larson won the Brickyard 400 last year, and he could become the first driver to win the Brickyard 400 and the Indianapolis 500.
Last year, Larson became the third Arrow McLaren driver to win Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, joining Robert Wickens, who won it in 2018 when the team was Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, and Patricio O’Ward, who won it in 2020.
The most recent driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in their sophomore year was Hélio Castroneves in 2002. The most recent driver to win the Indianapolis 500 as a sophomore after not winning as a rookie was Jacques Villeneuve in 1995.
Louis Foster
This will be Foster’s first Indianapolis 500 start.
Car #45 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Foster could become the fourth past Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden.
Three British drivers have previously been Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year: Jim Clark in 1963, Jackie Stewart in 1966 and Nigel Mansell in 1993.
Only once has the reigning Indy Lights champion won Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year: Gabby Chaves in 2015.
Foster could become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 21 years, nine months and 28 days old. This will be Foster’s only chance to become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner. He would be the youngest non-American winner. Foster could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Callum Ilott
This will be Ilott’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 11th (2024)
Car #90 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Only once has the winner started 21st and that was L.L. Corum and Joe Boyer in 1924.
Ilott has improved his finishing position in each of his first three Indianapolis 500 starts. He has also led a lap in each of the last two Indianapolis 500s.
Ilott has finished outside the top twenty in his last four starts, his longest stretch of results 20th or worse in his IndyCar career.
In 11 career starts on ovals, his only top ten finish was ninth at Texas in 2023.
This will be the first Indianapolis 500 to feature car #90 since Townsend Bell used the number in 2006.
This will be Foster’s first Indianapolis 500 start.
Car #45 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Three times has the winner started 20th, most recently Al Unser in 1987.
Three British drivers have previously been Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year: Jim Clark in 1963, Jackie Stewart in 1966 and Nigel Mansell in 1993.
Only once has the reigning Indy Lights champion won Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year: Gabby Chaves in 2015.
Foster could become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 21 years, nine months and 28 days old. This will be Foster’s only chance to become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner. He would be the youngest non-American winner. Foster could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
This will be Ilott’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 11th (2024)
Car #90 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
Only once has the winner started 21st and that was L.L. Corum and Joe Boyer in 1924.
Ilott has improved his finishing position in each of his first three Indianapolis 500 starts. He has also led a lap in each of the last two Indianapolis 500s.
Ilott has finished outside the top twenty in his last four starts, his longest stretch of results 20th or worse in his IndyCar career.
In 11 career starts on ovals, his only top ten finish was ninth at Texas in 2023.
This will be the first Indianapolis 500 to feature car #90 since Townsend Bell used the number in 2006.
Row 8:
Hélio Castroneves This will be Castroneves’ 25th Indianapolis 500 start.
Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021).
Castroneves’ victory in 2022 was the first Indianapolis 500 victory for car #06.
Twice has the winner started 22nd but not since Kelly Petillo in 1935.
Castroneves could become the first five-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
Castroneves will become the fourth driver with at least 25 Indianapolis 500 starts, trailing only A.J. Foyt (35), Mario Andretti (29) and Al Unser (27)
A top five 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.
A top ten finish would be Castroneves’ 17th in the Indianapolis 500 and he would tie A.J. Foyt for the most top ten finishes in the Indianapolis 500.
Castroneves has the 12th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 9.0833. A victory would lower his average finish to 8.76, which would move him to ninth all-time. The worst Castroneves’ average finish can be is 10.04, dropping him to 24th all-time.
Castroneves could become the oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 50 years and 15 days old. Castroneves would join Emerson Fittipaldi and Takuma Sato as the only drivers to win multiple Indianapolis 500s after turning 40 years old.
Castroneves could become the third-oldest winner in IndyCar history behind only Mario Andretti (53 years, one month and seven days old) and Louis Unser (57 years, five months and 22 days old).
This is the first Indianapolis 500 with a driver over the age of 50 since 2000, which featured Lyn St. James.
Kyle Kirkwood
This will be Kirkwood’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 7th (2024)
Car #27 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Dario Franchitti in 2007.
The best finish for the 23rd-starter is second by Wilbur Shaw in 1933.
This will be Kirkwood’s fourth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 7th (2024)
Car #27 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Dario Franchitti in 2007.
The best finish for the 23rd-starter is second by Wilbur Shaw in 1933.
Last season, Kirkwood had four top ten finishes on ovals after having only one top ten finish on an oval over this first two seasons.
Kirkwood could become the fourth Indy Lights championship to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden.
Kirkwood could become the first Florida-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500. He was the first Florida-born driver to win any IndyCar race when he won at Long Beach in 2023.
Kirkwood is attempting to become the third driver to win the Grand Prix of Long Beach and Indianapolis 500 in the same season (Al Unser, Jr. 1994, Hélio Castroneves 2001).
Nolan Siegel
This will be Siegel’s first Indianapolis 500 start.
Car #6 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times, most recently with Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2006.
This was Siegel’s second Indianapolis 500 attempt after he failed to qualify for last year’s race.
Kirkwood could become the fourth Indy Lights championship to win the Indianapolis 500 joining Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden.
Kirkwood could become the first Florida-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500. He was the first Florida-born driver to win any IndyCar race when he won at Long Beach in 2023.
Kirkwood is attempting to become the third driver to win the Grand Prix of Long Beach and Indianapolis 500 in the same season (Al Unser, Jr. 1994, Hélio Castroneves 2001).
Nolan Siegel
This will be Siegel’s first Indianapolis 500 start.
Car #6 has won the Indianapolis 500 five times, most recently with Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2006.
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 was Siegel’s second Indianapolis 500 attempt after he failed to qualify for last year’s race.
This is the third time in the last six Indianapolis 500s there is a rookie starter who previously missed the race. The other two are Patricio O’Ward, who failed to qualify in 2019 and made his debut in 2020, and R.C. Enerson, who failed to qualify in 2021 and made his debut in 2023.
Siegel won the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year.
Siegel could become the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 20 years, six months and 17 days old. This is the first of at least two chances Siegel will have at becoming the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner. Siegel could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Row 9:
Ryan Hunter-Reay
This will be Hunter-Reay's 17th Indianapolis 500 start.
2014 Indianapolis 500 winner.
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.
Only once has the winner started 25th and that was Johnny Rutherford in 1974.
Hunter-Reay suffered a fire on pit lane during Carb Day practice, and his team has changed to a backup car, which only ran installation laps on Saturday morning.
Hunter-Reay could become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for Chevrolet and Honda in the DW12-era. He would become the 13th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 with multiple engine manufacturers.
Hunter-Reay needs to lead 29 laps to become the 31st driver to lead at least 200 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career.
Hunter-Reay has the 120th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 16.125. A victory would lower his average finish to 15.235, moving him up to 102nd all-time. The worst Hunter-Reay's average finish can be after this race is 17.1176, which would drop him to 154th all-time.
Hunter-Reay could become the sixth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, five months and eight days old.
It has been six years, eight months and ten days since Hunter-Reay’s most recent IndyCar victory (September 16, 2018 at Sonoma Raceway).
This will be Hunter-Reay's 17th Indianapolis 500 start.
2014 Indianapolis 500 winner.
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.
Only once has the winner started 25th and that was Johnny Rutherford in 1974.
Hunter-Reay suffered a fire on pit lane during Carb Day practice, and his team has changed to a backup car, which only ran installation laps on Saturday morning.
Hunter-Reay could become the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 for Chevrolet and Honda in the DW12-era. He would become the 13th driver to win the Indianapolis 500 with multiple engine manufacturers.
Hunter-Reay needs to lead 29 laps to become the 31st driver to lead at least 200 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career.
Hunter-Reay has the 120th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 16.125. A victory would lower his average finish to 15.235, moving him up to 102nd all-time. The worst Hunter-Reay's average finish can be after this race is 17.1176, which would drop him to 154th all-time.
Hunter-Reay could become the sixth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, five months and eight days old.
It has been six years, eight months and ten days since Hunter-Reay’s most recent IndyCar victory (September 16, 2018 at Sonoma Raceway).
Jack Harvey
This will be Harvey’s eighth Indianapolis 500.
Best Finish: 9th (2020)
Car #24 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Graham Hill 1966.
The best finish for the 26th-starter is third by Don Freeland in 1956, Paul Goldsmith in 1960 and Simon Pagenaud in 2021.
This will be Harvey’s first IndyCar start in a Chevrolet-powered car.
Harvey has not had a top ten finish in his last 31 IndyCar starts.
Harvey has the 203rd best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 19.5714. A victory would lower his average finish to 17.25, moving him up to 157th all-time. The worst Harvey's average finish can be after this race is 21.25, which would drop him to 230th all-time.
Harvey is still looking for his first IndyCar victory, and this will be his 94th start. Only four drivers made more starts before their first career victory.
This will be Harvey’s eighth Indianapolis 500.
Best Finish: 9th (2020)
Car #24 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Graham Hill 1966.
The best finish for the 26th-starter is third by Don Freeland in 1956, Paul Goldsmith in 1960 and Simon Pagenaud in 2021.
This will be Harvey’s first IndyCar start in a Chevrolet-powered car.
Harvey has not had a top ten finish in his last 31 IndyCar starts.
Harvey has the 203rd best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 19.5714. A victory would lower his average finish to 17.25, moving him up to 157th all-time. The worst Harvey's average finish can be after this race is 21.25, which would drop him to 230th all-time.
Harvey is still looking for his first IndyCar victory, and this will be his 94th start. Only four drivers made more starts before their first career victory.
This will be Herta’s seventh 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 27th and that was by Fred Frame in 1932.
Herta is using his backup car after he had an accident on his first qualifying run during Saturday qualifying.
Herta could be the second 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 has failed to finish three of his first six Indianapolis 500 starts.
Herta is tied for the 207th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 19.833 with Mel Hansen. A victory would lower his average finish to 17.1428, moving him up to 154th all-time. The worst Herta's average finish can be after this race is 21.7142, which would drop him to 239th all-time.
Herta could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 25 years, one month and 25 days old. Herta could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Row 10:
Graham Rahal This will be Rahal’s 18th Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 3rd (2011, 2020).
Car #15 has won the Indianapolis 500 three times, most recently with Buddy Rice in 2004.
Twice has the winner started 28th, inaugural winner Ray Harroun in 1911 and Louis Meyer in 1936.
It has been 129 starts since Rahal’s most recent IndyCar victory (Belle Isle II in 2017). Rahal currently holds the record for most starts between victories. He made 124 starts between his victories at St. Petersburg in 2008 and Fontana in 2015.
Rahal suffered an engine failure during Carb Day practice on Friday.
Rahal has led 28 laps in his Indianapolis 500 career. His father Bobby led 126 laps in his 13 Indianapolis 500 starts.
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 the 169th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 17.8823. A victory would lower Rahal’s average finish to 16.944, and put him 146th all-time. The worst Rahal’s average finish can be after this race is 18.722, dropping him into 183rd all-time.
Marco Andretti
This will be Andretti’s 20th 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 29th-starter is second in 1911 by Ralph Mulford and in 2002 by Paul Tracy.
Andretti will become the 13th driver to start at least 20 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.
Andretti needs to lead six laps to become the 41st driver to lead at least 150 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career. He has only led in one of his last ten Indianapolis 500 starts after leading in eight of his first ten Indianapolis 500 starts.
After leading 141 laps in his first nine Indianapolis 500 starts, Andretti has led only three laps in his last ten Indianapolis 500 starts, all coming in 2022.
Andretti has the 77th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 13.8421. A victory would lower his average finish to 13.2, which would move him into a tie for 64th all-time with Billy Arnold. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 14.8, dropping him to 91st all-time.
This will be Andretti’s 20th 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 29th-starter is second in 1911 by Ralph Mulford and in 2002 by Paul Tracy.
Andretti will become the 13th driver to start at least 20 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.
Andretti needs to lead six laps to become the 41st driver to lead at least 150 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career. He has only led in one of his last ten Indianapolis 500 starts after leading in eight of his first ten Indianapolis 500 starts.
After leading 141 laps in his first nine Indianapolis 500 starts, Andretti has led only three laps in his last ten Indianapolis 500 starts, all coming in 2022.
Andretti has the 77th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 13.8421. A victory would lower his average finish to 13.2, which would move him into a tie for 64th all-time with Billy Arnold. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 14.8, dropping him to 91st all-time.
It has been 13 years, 11 months and one day since Andretti’s most recent IndyCar victory (June 25, 2011 at Iowa Speedway).
Marcus Armstrong
This will be Armstrong’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 30th (2024)
Car #66 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Mark Donohue 1972.
Armstrong could become the second New Zealander to win the Indianapolis 500, but the first New Zealand-born driver to win the race. New Zealand could become the sixth nation to produce multiple Indianapolis 500 winners.
Armstrong could become the second driver alphabetically by last name among Indianapolis 500 winners behind only Mario Andretti.
Armstrong could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 24 years, nine months and 26 days old. He would become the youngest non-American winner. Armstrong could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Last year, Armstrong lost an engine after completing only six laps in the Indianapolis 500, and all six of those laps were run under caution.
This will be Armstrong’s second Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 30th (2024)
Car #66 has won the Indianapolis 500 once, Mark Donohue 1972.
The best finish for the 30th-starter was fourth in 1936 by Mauri Rose.
Armstrong had an accident in practice on the morning of the first qualifying day last Saturday. His team switched to a backup car.
Armstrong could become the second New Zealander to win the Indianapolis 500, but the first New Zealand-born driver to win the race. New Zealand could become the sixth nation to produce multiple Indianapolis 500 winners.
Armstrong could become the second driver alphabetically by last name among Indianapolis 500 winners behind only Mario Andretti.
Armstrong could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 24 years, nine months and 26 days old. He would become the youngest non-American winner. Armstrong could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
Last year, Armstrong lost an engine after completing only six laps in the Indianapolis 500, and all six of those laps were run under caution.
Row 11:
Rinus VeeKay
This will be VeeKay’s sixth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 8th (2021)
Car #18 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
VeeKay could become the second Dutchman to win the Indianapolis 500 after Arie Luyendyk.
This will be VeeKay’s sixth Indianapolis 500 start.
Best Finish: 8th (2021)
Car #18 has never won the Indianapolis 500.
The best finish for the 31st-starter is fourth in 1951 by Andy Linden.
VeeKay has led a lap in four consecutive Indianapolis 500s.
VeeKay is tied for the 114th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 16. A victory would lower VeeKay’s average finish to 13.5, moving him to tied for 70th all-time. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 18.8333, which would drop him to 187th all-time.
VeeKay could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 24 years, eight months and 14 days old. VeeKay could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
VeeKay is tied for the 114th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 16. A victory would lower VeeKay’s average finish to 13.5, moving him to tied for 70th all-time. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 18.8333, which would drop him to 187th all-time.
VeeKay could become the ninth-youngest Indianapolis 500 winner at 24 years, eight months and 14 days old. VeeKay could become the first Indianapolis 500 winner born in the 21st century.
It has been four years and ten days since VeeKay’s only career IndyCar victory, the 2021 Grand Prix of Indianapolis. He has made 66 starts since his only victory.
Of the 33-grid positions, 31st has produced the fewest top five finishers. Andy Linden's fourth in 1951 is the only time the 31st-starter has finished in the top five. It has produced 14 top ten finishes, most recently in 2021 with Sage Karam finishing seventh. Karam also went from 31st to ninth as a rookie in 2014.
Josef Newgarden
This will be Newgarden’s 14th Indianapolis 500 start.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2023-24).
Newgarden’s victory last year was the 11th time car #2 has won the Indianapolis 500.
Newgarden is attempting to become the first driver to win three consecutive Indianapolis 500s. With 31 career victories, he is tied for tenth all-time in IndyCar history, and he is one of 13 drivers with at least 30 victories in a career. Nine drivers have won at least three Indianapolis 500s.
This will be Newgarden’s 14th Indianapolis 500 start.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2023-24).
Newgarden’s victory last year was the 11th time car #2 has won the Indianapolis 500.
The best finish for the 32nd-starter is second in 1957 by Jim Rathmann and 1981 by Mario Andretti.
In 94 races with at least 32 starters, the 32nd starting position has produced five top five finishes, most recently fourth with Alexander Rossi in 2018. Seventeen times has the 32nd-starter finished in the top ten. The average finish for the 32nd-starter is 19.468.
Newgarden has completed all 500 miles in seven consecutive Indianapolis 500s, tied for the longest streak in the history of the race.
Newgarden is the only driver to win the Freedom 100 and Indianapolis 500 in a career.
Newgarden is the third past Indy Lights champion to win the Indianapolis 500 along with Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.
Newgarden needs to lead 31 laps to reach the 100 laps led milestone in the Indianapolis 500. Newgarden and Takuma Sato are the only multi-time Indianapolis 500 winners to have led fewer than 100 laps. Sixty-five drivers have led at least 100 laps in the Indianapolis 500.
Newgarden has the 53rd best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 12.1538. A third consecutive victory would lower Newgarden’s average finish to 11.357, moving him to 34th all-time. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 13.6428, which would drop him to 73rd all-time.
Will Power
This will be Power’s 17th 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.
The best finish for the 33rd-starter is second in 1980 by Tom Sneva and 1992 by Scott Goodyear.
In 94 races with at least 33 starters, the 33rd starting position has produced five top five finishes, but not since Goodyear was second in 1992, and it has produced 13 top ten finishes, most recently when Felipe Giaffone was tenth in 2001.
The average finish for the 33rd-starter is 20.2765.
This is the second time Power has started on the last row in his Indianapolis 500 career. He started 32nd in 2021 and he finished 14th.
Power has finished outside the top ten in five consecutive Indianapolis 500s.
Power is currently tied with Johnny Rutherford for the fifth most 500-mile race victories in IndyCar history with five.
Power needs to lead five laps to become the 41st driver to lead at least 150 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career. Since winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, Power has led ten laps over the last six Indianapolis 500s. He has failed to finish on the lead lap in three of the last four years.
Power has the 80th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 14.235. A victory would lower his average finish to 13.5 and put him tied for 70th all-time with Gil Andersen. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 15.2778, which would drop him to 102th all-time.
Power could become the sixth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, two months and 24 days old.
Power is currently tied with Johnny Rutherford for the fifth most 500-mile race victories in IndyCar history with five.
Power needs to lead five laps to become the 41st driver to lead at least 150 laps in an Indianapolis 500 career. Since winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, Power has led ten laps over the last six Indianapolis 500s. He has failed to finish on the lead lap in three of the last four years.
Power has the 80th best average finish among the 262 drivers with at least five Indianapolis 500 starts at 14.235. A victory would lower his average finish to 13.5 and put him tied for 70th all-time with Gil Andersen. The worst his average finish can be after this race is 15.2778, which would drop him to 102th all-time.
Power could become the sixth-oldest Indianapolis 500 winner at 44 years, two months and 24 days old.
Fox's coverage of the 109th Indianapolis 500 begins at 10:00 a.m. ET with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 p.m. The race is scheduled for 200 laps.
