Indy 500
Active championship · 1911 - 2026The Indianapolis 500 is more than an IndyCar race; it is a Memorial Day institution built around the Brickyard, 500 miles of pressure and one of the richest rituals in American motorsport.
Indy is a race of patience disguised as a sprint. The oval looks simple until strategy, traffic, weather, yellow flags and the final pit cycle turn it into a month-long test of nerve. From roadsters to rear-engined cars and modern Dallara machinery, the 500 has repeatedly rewritten what American open-wheel racing means. This page brings together winners, cars, drivers, teams and seasons for the event's long competitive story.Interesting facts
- The Indianapolis 500 was first held in 1911 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- The winner traditionally drinks milk in Victory Lane.
- The race is closely tied to qualifying drama, pace cars and the “Brickyard” identity of the Speedway.
Explore the championship
Seasons
Follow the championship season by season, from 1911 to 2026. Current status: Active championship.
Drivers
Explore driver profiles, standings, race starts and title battles. The title benchmark is Wilbur Shaw.
Teams
See how teams shaped the championship through entries, standings and race wins. The title benchmark is Not available.
Tracks
Browse the circuits and venues that define this racing series. The most familiar stop is Indianapolis.
Races
Open the race and Grand Prix history behind the championship. The most frequent race is Indianapolis 500.
Cars
Compare winning cars, chassis and manufacturers across the results. The standout winner is DW12.
Season and race snapshot
| First race | 1911 Indianapolis 500 |
|---|---|
| Latest race | 2026 Indianapolis 500 |
| Latest season | 2026 |
| Latest driver champion | Alex Palou (2025) |
|---|---|
| Races with results | 110 |
Drivers by titles
Wilbur Shaw
|
3 |
Louis Meyer
|
3 |
Johnnie Parsons
|
2 |
Lee Wallard
|
2 |
Tommy Milton
|
2 |
Drivers by race wins
Rick Mears
|
4 |
AJ Foyt jr
|
4 |
Al Unser
|
4 |
Helio Castroneves
|
4 |
|
Louis Meyer
|
3 |
Teams by race wins
| Marlboro Team Penske | 7 |
| Team Penske | 6 |
| Lou Moore | 6 |
| Penske Racing | 6 |
Kurtis Kraft
|
5 |
Most used tracks
Indianapolis
|
110 |
Most frequent races
| Indianapolis 500 | 110 |
Cars by race wins
Dallara DW12
|
9 |
Dallara DW12
|
6 |
Dallara IR4
|
5 |
Peugeot L76
|
3 |
Duesenberg Eight Speedway Roadster
|
3 |
Manufacturers by race wins
| Dallara | 26 |
| Miller | 8 |
| Penske | 7 |
| Watson | 6 |
| Duesenberg | 6 |
Championship by eras
| Era | Years | Seasons | Races |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 1911 - 1919 | 7 | 7 |
| 1920s | 1920 - 1929 | 10 | 10 |
| 1930s | 1930 - 1939 | 10 | 10 |
| 1940s | 1940 - 1949 | 6 | 6 |
| 1950s | 1950 - 1959 | 10 | 10 |
| 1960s | 1960 - 1969 | 10 | 10 |
| 1970s | 1970 - 1979 | 10 | 10 |
| 1980s | 1980 - 1989 | 10 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1990 - 1999 | 10 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2000 - 2009 | 10 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2010 - 2019 | 10 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2020 - 2026 | 7 | 7 |
Championship FAQ
When did Indy 500 start?
Indy 500 starts on this timeline in 1911.
How many seasons are covered?
This championship page covers 110 seasons, from 1911 to 2026.
Who has the most driver titles?
Wilbur Shaw sets the title benchmark here with 3 championships.
Which team has the most race wins?
Marlboro Team Penske is the leading team by race wins here, with 7 victories.
Which track appears most often?
Indianapolis is the most frequent venue on this championship page, with 110 races.