Indianapolis 500 Records - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Race records

Most victories, driver
- 4 – A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977)
- 4 – Al Unser
  Al Unser
  Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....
  
  (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987)
- 4 – Rick Mears
  Rick Mears
  Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six...
  
  (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991)

Most victories, owner
- 15 – Roger Penske
  Roger Penske
  Roger S. Penske is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. A winning racer in the late 1950s, Penske was named 1961's Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated...
  
  (1972, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009)

Victories by owner/driver: 7

} Jimmy Murphy

James Anthony Murphy

James Anthony Murphy was a race car driver who was the American Racing Champion in 1922 and 1924.-Background:...

(1922 as owner/driver)
} Kelly Petillo

Kelly Petillo

Cavino Michele "Kelly" Petillo, was an American race car driver....

(1935 as owner/driver)
} Wilbur Shaw

Wilbur Shaw

Warren Wilbur Shaw was a noted American racing driver and president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 until his death. Shaw was the automotive test evaluator for Popular Science magazine...

(1937 as owner/driver)
} A.J. Foyt (1961 & 1964 as driver, 1967 & 1977 as owner/driver, 1999 as owner)
} Eddie Cheever

Eddie Cheever

Edward "Eddie" McKay Cheever, Jr. is an American racing driver who raced for almost thirty years in Formula One, Sports cars, CART and the Indy Racing League. Cheever participated in 143 World Championship Formula One races and started 132, more than any other American, driving for nine different...

(1998 as owner/driver)
} Parnelli Jones

Parnelli Jones

Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...

(1963 as driver, 1970 & 1971 as owner)
} Bobby Rahal

Bobby Rahal

Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500...

(1986 as driver, 2004 as owner)

Victories by chassis make: 10 Dallara

Dallara

Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...

(1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)

Victories by engine manufacturer: 27 Offenhauser

Offenhauser

Offenhauser was an American racing engine manufacturer that operated from 1933 to 1983.The Offenhauser engine, familiarly known as the "Offy", was developed by Fred Offenhauser and his employer Harry Arminius Miller, after maintaining and repairing a 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix car of the type which...

Victories by tire manufacturer: 63 Firestone

Firestone Tire and Rubber Company

The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is an American tire company founded by Harvey Firestone in 1900 to supply pneumatic tires for wagons, buggies, and other forms of wheeled transportation common in the era. Firestone soon saw the huge potential for marketing tires for automobiles. The company...

Most victories by car number: 11 wins

Cars No. 3 (1919, 1948, 1962, 1968, 1974, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1992, 2002, 2009)

Starting Position: Cars starting from the pole-position have won the race 20 times (1922, 1923, 1930, 1938, 1953, 1956, 1963, 1970, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009)
Consecutive wins: 5

} Wilbur Shaw

Wilbur Shaw

, 1939–1940
} Mauri Rose

Mauri Rose

Mauri Rose was an American racecar driver.He started from the pole position driving a Maserati in the 1941 Indianapolis 500, but spark plug problems put him out of the race after sixty laps. He then took over the Wetteroth/Offenhauser car being driven by Floyd Davis that had started in 17th place....

, 1947–1948
} Bill Vukovich

Bill Vukovich

Bill Vukovich was a Serbian American automobile racing driver. He won the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500 plus two more American Automobile Association National Championship races...

, 1953–1954
} Al Unser

Al Unser

Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....

, 1970–1971
} Hélio Castroneves

Hélio Castroneves

Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...

, 2001–2002

Defending champion finishing second: 8

} Louis Meyer

Louis Meyer

Louis Meyer was an American Hall of Fame race car driver best known as the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500....

, 1929
} Wilbur Shaw, 1938
} Bill Holland

Bill Holland

Bill Holland was an American race car driver from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1949. He nearly won as a rookie in 1947 but slowed and allowed teammate Mauri Rose to pass him seven laps from the end, mistakenly believing that Rose was a lap down...

, 1950
} Rodger Ward

Rodger Ward

Rodger M. Ward was an American racecar driver who won the 1959 and 1962 Indianapolis 500. He also was the 1959 and 1962 USAC Championship Car champion.-Early history:...

, 1960
} Jim Clark

Jim Clark

James "Jim" Clark, Jr OBE was a British Formula One racing driver from Scotland, who won two World Championships, in 1963 and 1965....

, 1966
} Al Unser, 1972
} Johnny Rutherford

Johnny Rutherford

For the Major League Baseball pitcher, see Johnny Rutherford . For other people with a similar name, see John RutherfordJohn Sherman Rutherford III , better known as Johnny Rutherford, and also known as "Lone Star JR" is a former U.S...

, 1975
} Hélio Castroneves, 2003

Defending second place-finisher winning: 13

} Dario Resta

Dario Resta

Dario Resta , nicknamed "Dolly", was an Italian Briton race car driver. Raised in England from the age of two, he began racing there starting in 1907. He took part in the Montagu Cup the very first race of the now historic Brooklands track. He set a record of in a half-mile run a few years later...

, 1916
} Fred Frame

Fred Frame

Fredrick William Frame won the 1932 Indianapolis 500.-Indy 500 results:...

, 1932
} Bill Holland*, 1949
} Johnnie Parsons

Johnnie Parsons

Johnnie Parsons was an American race car driver from Los Angeles, California who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1950....

, 1950
} Sam Hanks

Sam Hanks

Sam Hanks was an American racecar driver who won the 1957 Indianapolis 500. He was a barnstormer, and raced midget and Champ cars.-Racing career:...

, 1957
} Jim Rathmann

Jim Rathmann

Jim Rathmann was an American race car driver who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1960....

, 1960
} Bobby Unser

Bobby Unser

Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired U.S. automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser...

, 1975
} Johnny Rutherford, 1976
} A.J. Foyt, 1977
} Emerson Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...

, 1989
} Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve, , is a Canadian musician and automobile racing driver. He is the son of the late Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, and is the namesake of his uncle...

, 1995
} Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon

Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZM is a New Zealand motor racer who became the most successful all-time driver in the Indy Racing League championship in the United States when he won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in August 2009. This took his total to 21 wins...

, 2008
} Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...

*, 2011

* Won after two consecutive second-place finishes.

Rookie winner: 8*

} Ray Harroun

Ray Harroun

Ray Harroun was an American racecar driver, born in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania.-Early driving:As noted in the Columbia Car webpages, Harroun participated in the original setting of the record from Chicago to New York in 1903, and the re-taking of that record in 1904...

, 1911
} Jules Goux

Jules Goux

Jules Goux, born Valentigney 6 April 1885 - died Valentigney 6 March 1965, was a Grand Prix motor racing champion and the first Frenchman, and the first European, to win the Indianapolis 500.-Biography:...

, 1913
} René Thomas, 1914
} Frank Lockhart

Frank Lockhart

Frank Lockhart was an American automobile racing driver, and Indianapolis 500 winner, and considered a legend in the sport by many historians.-Racing career:...

, 1926
} George Souders

George Souders

George Souders won the 1927 Indianapolis 500.Born in Lafayette, Indiana, George Souders led the last 51 laps of the 1927 race after starting in 22nd position as a race rookie.-Indy 500 results:-External links:...

, 1927
} Graham Hill

Graham Hill

Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He is the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship.Graham Hill and his son Damon are the only father and son pair both to...

, 1966
} Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya Roldán is a Colombian race car driver known internationally for participating and winning in Formula One and CART race competitions. He has enjoyed great success. Currently, he competes in NASCAR, driving the #42 Target Chevrolet Impala for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in the Sprint...

, 2000
} Hélio Castroneves

Hélio Castroneves

, 2001

Louis Meyer

Louis Meyer was an American Hall of Fame race car driver best known as the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500....

won in his first start (1928), but had driven the previous year as relief driver for

Wilbur Shaw

Rookie and sophomore winner: 1

} Hélio Castroneves, 2001, 2002

Co-winners (one driver starting a race but another driver finishing in the same winning entry): 2

} Lora L. Corum

Lora L. Corum

Lora L. Corum was co-winner of the 1924 Indianapolis 500.Corum was replaced by Joe Boyer on lap 109, despite the fact that it required Boyer to be relieved in his own car.-Indy 500 results:...

Joe Boyer

Joe Boyer was a co-winner of the 1924 Indianapolis 500. Boyer was born in Detroit, Michigan.At the 1924 Indianapolis 500, Boyer participated in two different cars during the race. In his original entry , he qualified 4th. On the 109th lap he was relieved. His relief driver went on to race until...

, 1924
} Floyd Davis

Floyd Davis

Floyd Eldon Davis was the co-winner of the 1941 Indianapolis 500....

Mauri Rose

, 1941

Victories by drivers who never led a race lap in career: 2 (Corum and Davis, in those same years)

Won Triple Crown of Motorsport
Triple Crown of Motorsport
The Triple Crown of Motorsport is an unofficial motorsport achievement, often regarded as winning three of the most prestigious races in the world in one's career:* the Monaco Grand Prix* the 24 Hours of Le Mans* the Indianapolis 500...

(Indianapolis 500, Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans...

, and 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...

):

} Graham Hill

Graham Hill

(1966 / 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969 / 1972)

Won Indianapolis 500, World Championship
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...

and 24 Hours of Le Mans):

} Graham Hill

Graham Hill

(1966 / 1962, 1968 / 1972)

Won Indianapolis 500 and World Championship: 5

} Jim Clark

Jim Clark

James "Jim" Clark, Jr OBE was a British Formula One racing driver from Scotland, who won two World Championships, in 1963 and 1965....

(1965 / 1963, 1965)
} Graham Hill

Graham Hill

(1966 / 1962, 1968)
} Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...

(1969 / 1978)
} Emerson Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi

(1989, 1993 / 1972, 1974)
} Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve

Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve, , is a Canadian musician and automobile racing driver. He is the son of the late Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, and is the namesake of his uncle...

(1995 / 1997)

Won Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans: 2

} A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1967)
} Graham Hill

Graham Hill

(1966 / 1972)

Won Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Daytona
24 Hours of Daytona
The 24 Hours of Daytona, currently known as the Rolex 24 Daytona for sponsorship reasons, is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is run on a combined road course, utilizing portions of the NASCAR tri-oval and an infield...

:

} A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1983, 1985)
} Al Unser, Sr. (1970, 1971, 1978, 1987 / 1985)
} Mark Donohue

Mark Donohue

Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. , nicknamed "Captain Nice", was an American racecar driver known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victories. Donohue is probably best known as the driver of the 1500+ bhp “Can-Am Killer” Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the 1972...

(1972 / 1969)
} Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

(1969 / 1972* shortened due to gas shortage)
} Bobby Rahal

Bobby Rahal

(1986 / 1981)
} Arie Luyendyk

Arie Luyendyk

Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....

(1990, 1997 / 1998)
} Al Unser, Jr.

Al Unser, Jr.

Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

(1992, 1994 / 1986, 1987)
} Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya

(2000 / 2007, 2008)
} Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...

(2005, 2011 / 2006)
} Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon

(2008 / 2006)
} Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...

(2004 / 2009)
} Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti

George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing...

(2007, 2010 / 2008)

Won Indianapolis 500 and Monaco Grand Prix:

} Graham Hill

Graham Hill

(1966 / 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969)
} Juan Pablo Montoya

Juan Pablo Montoya

(2000 / 2003)

Won Indianapolis 500 and 12 Hours of Sebring
12 Hours of Sebring
The 12 Hours of Sebring is an annual motorsport endurance race for sports cars held at Sebring International Raceway, a former Army Air Force base in Sebring, Florida...

:

} Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

(1969 / 1967, 1970, 1972)
} A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1985)
} Bobby Rahal

Bobby Rahal

(1986 / 1987)
} Arie Luyendyk

Arie Luyendyk

Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....

(1990, 1997 / 1989)

Won Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....

:

} Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

(1969 / 1967)
} A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1972)

Won Indianapolis 500, World Championship, and Daytona 500:

} Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

(1969 / 1978 / 1967)

Won Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Daytona 500:

} A.J. Foyt (1961, 1964, 1967, 1977 / 1967 / 1972)

Pole Position:

6, Rick Mears
Rick Mears
Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six...

(1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991)

Narrowest Margin of Victory: Al Unser, Jr.

Al Unser, Jr.

Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

over

Scott Goodyear

Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...

, 1992

- Official margin: 0.043 second
- Unofficial margin: 0.033 second http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFD6113DF930A35754C0A964958260

Widest Margin of Victory:

Preceding 1966 (first year of top five finishing entry being flagged off before completing 500 miles):
- 13 minutes, 8 seconds, Jules Goux
  Jules Goux
  Jules Goux, born Valentigney 6 April 1885 - died Valentigney 6 March 1965, was a Grand Prix motor racing champion and the first Frenchman, and the first European, to win the Indianapolis 500.-Biography:...
  
  over Spencer Wishart
  Spencer Wishart
  Spencer Wishart was an American racecar driver. He was active during the early years of the Indianapolis 500. Wishart was killed when he clipped another car during an AAA national championship race and crashed into a tree.-Indy 500 results:...
  
  , 1913
Succeeding 1966 (year inclusive):
- 2 laps +0:00.021, Rick Mears
  Rick Mears
  Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six...
  
  over Roberto Guerrero
  Roberto Guerrero
  Roberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982...
  
  , 1984
- 2 laps, A.J. Foyt over Al Unser
  Al Unser
  Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....
  
  , 1967 (race red flagged, second place reverted to last completed lap)
- 2 laps, Emerson Fittipaldi
  Emerson Fittipaldi
  Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...
  
  over Al Unser, Jr.
  Al Unser, Jr.
  Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...
  
  , 1989 (second place car did not finish 199th lap, third place 6 laps behind leader)

Fastest Winning Average Speed:

185.981 mph / 299.307 km/h, Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....

, 1990

Slowest Winning Average Speed:

74.602 mph / 120.060 km/h, Ray Harroun
Ray Harroun
Ray Harroun was an American racecar driver, born in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania.-Early driving:As noted in the Columbia Car webpages, Harroun participated in the original setting of the record from Chicago to New York in 1903, and the re-taking of that record in 1904...

, 1911

Slowest Finishing Average Speed:

56.29 mph / 90.59 km/h, Ralph Mulford
Ralph Mulford
Ralph Mulford was an American racecar driver active during the formative years of the auto racing....

, 1912

Fastest Qualifying Speed:

237.498 mph / 382.216 km/h, one lap, Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....

, 1996
236.986 mph / 381.392 km/h, four-lap average, Arie Luyendyk, 1996

Fastest Female Qualifying Speed:

229.439 mph / 369.246 km/h, one lap, Sarah Fisher
Sarah Fisher
Sarah Marie Fisher is a retired American professional racecar driver who competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500...

, 2002

Fastest Race Lap:

236.103 mph / 379.971 km/h, Eddie Cheever
Eddie Cheever
Edward "Eddie" McKay Cheever, Jr. is an American racing driver who raced for almost thirty years in Formula One, Sports cars, CART and the Indy Racing League. Cheever participated in 143 World Championship Formula One races and started 132, more than any other American, driving for nine different...

, 1996

Fastest Unofficial (Practice) Lap:

239.260 mph / 385.052 km/h, Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....

, May 10, 1996

Youngest Winner: Troy Ruttman

Troy Ruttman

Troy Ruttman was an American race car driver. He was the older brother of NASCAR driver Joe Ruttman.Ruttman won the Indianapolis 500 in 1952, and , he is the youngest winner of the race....

, 22 years, 80 days old, 1952

Oldest Winner: Al Unser

Al Unser

Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....

, 47 years, 360 days old, 1987

Highest Finishing Female: Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, being the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd...

, 3rd, 2009 Indianapolis 500

2009 Indianapolis 500

The 93rd Indianapolis 500 was held on Sunday May 24, 2009, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It was the 14th Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and the premier event of the 2009 IndyCar Series season....

Starts:

35, A.J. Foyt (1958–92, consecutive)
- Starts without winning: 22, George Snider
  George Snider
  George "Ziggy" Snider is a retired American race car driver. A longtime driver in the United States Automobile Club Silver Crown series, Snider is also a 22-time starter of the Indianapolis 500, the most starts without winning the race. His best finish was eighth in the 1975 Indianapolis 500...

Races led:

13, A.J. Foyt

Consecutive races led:

7, Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...

(2002–2008)

Career Laps Led:

644, Al Unser
Al Unser
Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....

Laps Led in Race:

198 (3–200), Billy Arnold
Billy Arnold
For the professional baseball player & manager, see Billy Arnold Richard William Arnold won the 1930 Indianapolis 500 after leading all but first two laps of the race, the most ever by a winner of the race. He won by a margin of 7 minutes and 17 seconds. He was 24 years old at the time...

, 1930

Fewest Laps Led in Race by Winning Driver:

1, Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...

, 2011

Laps Led in a Race by Non-Winning Driver:

196 (3-198; broken connecting rod), Ralph DePalma
Ralph DePalma
Ralph De Palma was an Italian-American racecar driving champion, most notably winner of the 1915 Indianapolis 500. His entry at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame estimates that he won about 2000 races...

, 1912

Laps Led for Rookie:

167, Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya Roldán is a Colombian race car driver known internationally for participating and winning in Formula One and CART race competitions. He has enjoyed great success. Currently, he competes in NASCAR, driving the #42 Target Chevrolet Impala for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in the Sprint...

(race winner), 2000

Laps Led from the Start:

92, Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...

, 1990

Last Lead Change:
The latest the lead has changed hands is on the final lap (200 of 200). This has occurred twice.

2006: Sam Hornish, Jr.
Sam Hornish, Jr.
Racing League]] championships. He currently drives the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger for Penske Racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also drives the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford when Travis Kvapil is unable to drive the car....

passed Marco Andretti
Marco Andretti
Marco Michael Andretti is an Italian American auto racing driver who drives the #26 car for Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar Series. He is the son of 1991 IndyCar World Series champion Michael Andretti and the grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti...

on the main straightaway, off of the fourth turn, of the final lap, to the checkered flag (winning the second closest finish in race history).
2011: Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...

passed J. R. Hildebrand
J. R. Hildebrand
John R. Hildebrand Jr. is an American race car driver. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series; driving the #4 National Guard car for Panther Racing. Hildebrand's nickname is Captain America...

on the main straightaway, off of the fourth turn, on the final lap, after Hildenbrand crashed into the outside wall on the final turn (after moving too far toward the outside of the curve while overtaking a slower car).

Led First Lap and Last Lap: 19 Jimmy Murphy

James Anthony Murphy

James Anthony Murphy was a race car driver who was the American Racing Champion in 1922 and 1924.-Background:...

, 1922 Joe Boyer

Joe Boyer

, 1924 (only occasion of occurrence in separate entries) Peter DePaolo, 1925 Lee Wallard

Lee Wallard

Lee Wallard was an American race car driver. In the 1951 Indianapolis 500 Wallard drove the Number 99 Belanger Special to victory, at age 40. Tony Bettenhausen had passed up the car, because he wanted to drive a newer front-wheel drive vehicle....

, 1951 Bill Vukovich

Bill Vukovich

Bill Vukovich was a Serbian American automobile racing driver. He won the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500 plus two more American Automobile Association National Championship races...

, 1953 Jimmy Bryan

Jimmy Bryan

James Ernest Bryan was an American racecar driver. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bryan died as a result of injuries sustained in a champ car race at Langhorne Speedway.-Career:...

, 1958 Jim Clark

Jim Clark

James "Jim" Clark, Jr OBE was a British Formula One racing driver from Scotland, who won two World Championships, in 1963 and 1965....

, 1965 Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti

, 1969 Al Unser

Al Unser

Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....

, 1970 Johnny Rutherford

Johnny Rutherford

, 1976 Johnny Rutherford, 1980 Bobby Unser

Bobby Unser

, 1981 Rick Mears

Rick Mears

Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six...

, 1984 Emerson Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi

, 1989 Rick Mears, 1991 Al Unser, Jr.

Al Unser, Jr.

Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

, 1994 Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice

, 2004 Hélio Castroneves

Hélio Castroneves

, 2009 Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti

, 2010

Races with half or more of all laps led by non-winning entry:

Nineteen separate entries in equal years, driven by fifteen drivers, have failed to win despite leading over half a given race's completed laps.

Year	Driver	Laps Led	Race Percentage	Final Status
1912	Ralph DePalma Ralph DePalma Ralph De Palma was an Italian-American racecar driving champion, most notably winner of the 1915 Indianapolis 500. His entry at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame estimates that he won about 2000 races...	196	98.0%	Ret
1967	Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...	171	85.5%	Ret
1987	Mario Andretti Mario Andretti Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...	170	85.0%	Ret
1992	Michael Andretti Michael Andretti Michael Mario Andretti is a retired American CART and Formula One driver and owner of the Andretti Autosport team in the IndyCar Series. Andretti is the son of Mario Andretti. His son is Marco Andretti.-Early career:...	160	80.0%	Ret
1931	Billy Arnold Billy Arnold For the professional baseball player & manager, see Billy Arnold Richard William Arnold won the 1930 Indianapolis 500 after leading all but first two laps of the race, the most ever by a winner of the race. He won by a margin of 7 minutes and 17 seconds. He was 24 years old at the time...	155	77.5%	Ret
1952	Bill Vukovich Bill Vukovich Bill Vukovich was a Serbian American automobile racing driver. He won the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500 plus two more American Automobile Association National Championship races...	150	75.0%	Ret
2006	Dan Wheldon Dan Wheldon Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...	148	74.0%	4
1994	Emerson Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi \|São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...	145	72.5%	Ret
1947	Bill Holland Bill Holland Bill Holland was an American race car driver from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who won the Indianapolis 500 in 1949. He nearly won as a rookie in 1947 but slowed and allowed teammate Mauri Rose to pass him seven laps from the end, mistakenly believing that Rose was a lap down...	143	71.5%	2
1972	Gary Bettenhausen Gary Bettenhausen Gary Bettenhausen is a retired American auto racing driver. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, and currently resides in Monrovia, Indiana.-Racing family:...	138	69.0%	Ret
1977	Gordon Johncock Gordon Johncock Gordon Johncock is a former racing driver, best known as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the 1976 USAC Marlboro Championship Trail champion. Johncock was most often simply referred to as "Gordy."...	129	64.5%	Ret
1990	Emerson Fittipaldi	128	64.0%	3
1962	Parnelli Jones	120	60.0%	7
1924	Earl Cooper Earl Cooper Earl Cooper was an American racecar driver.-Racing career:...	119	59.5%	2
1927	Frank Lockhart Frank Lockhart Frank Lockhart was an American automobile racing driver, and Indianapolis 500 winner, and considered a legend in the sport by many historians.-Racing career:...	110	55.0%	Ret
1921	Ralph DePalma	108	54.0%	Ret
1941	Wilbur Shaw Wilbur Shaw Warren Wilbur Shaw was a noted American racing driver and president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 until his death. Shaw was the automotive test evaluator for Popular Science magazine...	107	53.5%	Ret
1985	Mario Andretti	107	53.5%	2
1975	Wally Dallenbach Wally Dallenbach, Sr. Wally Dallenbach, Sr. is a former long-time open-wheeled race car driver in CART from East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. He drove in 180 Indy Car races between 1965 and 1979, winning five times. He is the father of NASCAR driver and commentator, Wally Dallenbach, Jr.-Biography:Dallenbach nearly...	96	55.2%	Ret

Most Leaders in Race:

12 – 1993

Fewest Leaders in Race:

2 – 1930

Lead Changes in Race:

29 – 1960

Fewest Starters in Race:

21 – 1916

Most Starters in Race:

42 – 1933

Most Former Winners Starting Race:

10 – 1992

Most Rookies Starting Race:

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

Fewest Rookies Starting Race:

1 – 1939, 1979

Most Cars Running at Finish:

26 – 1911

Fewest Cars Running at Finish:

7 – 1966

Most Occasions Running At Finish:

18, Al Unser
Al Unser
Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....

Greatest Improvement From Starting Position:

32 positions, 38th to 6th, Zeke Meyer
Zeke Meyer
Herbert Ernest "Zeke" Meyer was an American racecar driver.He was not related to fellow driver Louis Meyer.- From Zeke Meyer's business card...

, 1932

Highest Finish by Female Driver:

3rd Place, Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick
Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, model and advertising spokeswoman. She is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, being the only woman to win in the IndyCar Series as well as holding the highest finish by a woman at the Indianapolis 500 of 3rd...

, 2009

Hottest Temperature at Start of Race:

96 °F (35 °C), 2010

Hottest Temperature During Race:

100+ °F (38+ °C), 1953

Coldest Temperature at Start of Race:

51 °F (11 °C), 1992

Most Cars and Teams Entered

117, 1984

Rain-Shortened Races

1926 (160 laps)
1950 (138 laps)
1973 (131 laps)
1975 (174 laps)
1976 (102 laps)
2004 (180 laps)
2007 (166 laps)

Indianapolis 500 distance records

Laps	Distance (miles) (km)	Driver	Entry	Time	Average Speed (mph) (km/h)	Date	Race
1	2.500	Tony Kanaan Tony Kanaan Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...	Andretti-Green Racing	41.3359	217.728	May 27, 2007	2007 2007 Indianapolis 500 The 91st Indianapolis 500 ran on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the 12th Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and marked the fifth race of the 2007 IndyCar Series season just after the 2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 and just before the 2007 ABC Supply...
1	4.023		Andretti-Green Racing	41.3359	350.399	May 27, 2007
2	5.000	Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...	Team Menard Team Menard Team Menard was an auto racing team in the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League owned by John Menard. From 1991 to 1996 they modified their own Buick V6 engines for racing. This combination won pole for the 500 with Scott Brayton in 1995 and 1996; Tony Stewart used this combination for the first...	1:21.094	221.965	May 26, 1996	1996 1996 Indianapolis 500 The 80th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 1996. This was the first Indy 500 contested by the Indy Racing League, under the overall sanctioning umbrella of USAC. It was the third and final race of the 1996 IRL season. Buddy Lazier won the race, his...
2	8.047			1:21.094	357.218	May 26, 1996
4	10.000	Hélio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...	Marlboro Team Penske	2:43.771	219.819	May 25, 2003	2003 2003 Indianapolis 500 The 2003 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 25, 2003.-Recap:The "curse of the Indy three-peat" prevailed again on lap 169, as pole-sitter and two-time defending champion Hélio Castroneves was held up behind lap car A.J. Foyt IV coming out of the second turn, allowing teammate...
4	16.093		Marlboro Team Penske	2:43.771	353.764	May 25, 2003
10	25.000	Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:...	Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships...	6:48.806	220.153	May 26, 2002	2002 2002 Indianapolis 500 The 86th Indianapolis race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 2002. It was the seventh Indianapolis 500 held as part of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series schedule, and was part of the 2002 Indy Racing League season....
10	40.234			6:48.806	354.302	May 26, 2002
20	50.000	Bruno Junqueira	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	13:36.011	220.585	May 26, 2002	2002
20	80.467	Bruno Junqueira	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	13:36.011	354.997	May 26, 2002	2002
30	75.000	Bruno Junqueira	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	20:43.090	217.201	May 26, 2002	2002
30	120.701	Bruno Junqueira	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	20:43.090	349.551	May 26, 2002	2002
40	100.000	Juan Pablo Montoya Juan Pablo Montoya Juan Pablo Montoya Roldán is a Colombian race car driver known internationally for participating and winning in Formula One and CART race competitions. He has enjoyed great success. Currently, he competes in NASCAR, driving the #42 Target Chevrolet Impala for Earnhardt Ganassi Racing in the Sprint...	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	29:07.621	205.994	May 28, 2000	2000 2000 Indianapolis 500 The 2000 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28, 2000.-Recap:Chip Ganassi Racing became the first regular CART series team to break ranks and compete at Indianapolis since the CART/IRL split in 1996, entering 1996 CART series champion Jimmy Vasser and reigning...
40	160.934		Target Chip Ganassi Racing	29:07.621	331.515	May 28, 2000
50	125.000	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	36:13.626	207.027	May 28, 2000	2000
50	201.168	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	36:13.626	333.178	May 28, 2000	2000
60	150.000	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	43:27.421	207.101	May 28, 2000	2000
60	241.402	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	43:27.421	333.297	May 28, 2000	2000
70	175.000	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	55:57.915	187.616	May 28, 2000	2000
70	281.635	Juan Pablo Montoya	Target Chip Ganassi Racing	55:57.915	301.939	May 28, 2000	2000
80	200.000	Tony Kanaan	Andretti-Green Racing	1:05:01.827	184.529	May 26, 2002	2002
80	321.869	Tony Kanaan	Andretti-Green Racing	1:05:01.827	296.971	May 26, 2002	2002
90	225.000	Bobby Rahal Bobby Rahal Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500...	Truesports Company	1:17:31.599	174.138	May 31, 1986	1986
90	362.102		Truesports Company	1:17:31.599	280.250	May 31, 1986	1986

Drivers who crashed while leading late in the race

1952
1952 Indianapolis 500
The 1952 Indianapolis 500 was an automobile race held on Friday, May 30, 1952 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event was the second round of the 1952 World Drivers' Championship. Troy Ruttman won the race, bringing the Borg-Warner Trophy home for car owner J.C. Agajanian.Bill Vukovich led...

: Bill Vukovich
Bill Vukovich
Bill Vukovich was a Serbian American automobile racing driver. He won the 1953 and 1954 Indianapolis 500 plus two more American Automobile Association National Championship races...

- Vukovich lead 150 laps, and was leading on lap 192 when a steering linkage failed. Vukovich nursed his car to a stop by driving up against the outside wall in turn 4, preventing other drivers from getting involved in the incident.
1989
1989 Indianapolis 500
The 73rd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28, 1989. Emerson Fittipaldi became the first foreign winner of the race since 1966. Though Fittipaldi dominated most of the race, he dropped to second in the waning laps. On the 199th lap, Al Unser, Jr. was...

: Al Unser, Jr.
Al Unser, Jr.
Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

- On the 199th lap, Al Unser, Jr.
Al Unser, Jr.
Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

was leading Fittipaldi down the backstretch. The two cars weaved through lap traffic, and Fittipaldi dove underneath in turn three. With Unser still a nose ahead, the two cars touched wheels, and Unser spun out, crashing into the outside wall. Fittipaldi coasted around the final lap to score his first Indy 500 victory.
1994
1994 Indianapolis 500
The 78th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29, 1994. Al Unser, Jr. won from the pole position, his second Indy 500 victory. Much to the surprise of competitors, media, and fans, Marlboro Team Penske arrived at the Speedway with a brand new, secretly-built...

: Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi
Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:...

- while leading the race on lap 184, Fittipaldi was attemping to lap his teammate Al Unser, Jr.
Al Unser, Jr.
Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

, who was running second. Coming out of turn 4, Fittipaldi's left wheels touched the rumble strips on the inside, and the rear of the car tagged the outside wall. Unser, Jr. went on to win the race.
2002
2002 Indianapolis 500
The 86th Indianapolis race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 2002. It was the seventh Indianapolis 500 held as part of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series schedule, and was part of the 2002 Indy Racing League season....

: Tomas Scheckter
Tomas Scheckter
Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.-Early years:...

- After leading 85 laps during the race, the rookie was leading on lap 173. Coming out of turn 4, he slid high and smacked the outside wall down the frontstretch.
2011
2011 Indianapolis 500
The 95th Indianapolis 500 was held on May 29, 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the premier event of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season. The track opened for practice on May 14, and time trials were held on May 21–22. The race was won by Dan Wheldon and was the final win of his...

: J. R. Hildebrand
J. R. Hildebrand
John R. Hildebrand Jr. is an American race car driver. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series; driving the #4 National Guard car for Panther Racing. Hildebrand's nickname is Captain America...

- During the final ten laps, a sequence of green flag pit stops shuffled the field. Rookie J. R. Hildebrand
J. R. Hildebrand
John R. Hildebrand Jr. is an American race car driver. He currently competes in the IZOD IndyCar Series; driving the #4 National Guard car for Panther Racing. Hildebrand's nickname is Captain America...

was attempting to stretch his fuel to the finish, and took over the lead with just over two laps to go. On the final lap, he was leading going into the final turn, when he came up on the lapped car of Charlie Kimball
Charlie Kimball
Charlie Kimball is an Anglo-American racecar driver currently competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing.-2002–2005:...

, who was slowing to the inside. Hildebrand went high, got into the "marbles," and smacked the outside wall. Without steering, and only on three wheels, his car slid down the frontstretch towards the finish line and the checkered flag. However, Hildebrand was passed by Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...

on the final 1,000 feet and Hildebrand finished second.

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.