List of Indianapolis 500 pole-sitters

Indianapolis 500 Pole Position
Tony Kanaan during qualifying for the 2015 Indianapolis 500
A qualification day participation sticker on Tony Kanaan's car in 2015
SportAmerican open-wheel car racing
CompetitionIndianapolis 500
DisciplineIndyCar Series
Awarded forPole Position for the Indianapolis 500
English nameNippon Telegraph and Telephone P1 Award
History
First award1911
Editions108
First winnerLewis Strang (1911)
Most winsRick Mears (6)
Most recentScott McLaughlin (2024)

The Indianapolis 500 (also called the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race)[a][2] is an annual American open-wheel car race held on American Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), in Speedway, Indiana.[3] It was first held in 1911 after the track's owners had experimented with several other long-distances auto races over the previous two years.[2] The race was not held in 1917 or 1918 and again from 1942 to 1945 because of war.[2] It was administered by the American Automobile Association between 1911 and 1955, then by the United States Auto Club from 1956 to 1997, and finally by the Indy Racing League/IndyCar beginning in 1998.[3][4] The polesitter is the driver that has qualified for the event in pole position, at the inside of the front of the starting grid.[5] Since 1989, the polesitter has received a $100,000 cash prize,[b][8] and they and their car owner receive a small trophy at a ceremony that takes place after qualifying.[c][13][14] The award is currently sponsored by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone;[15] past sponsors include Anheuser-Busch through its Budweiser brand,[16] PPG Industries,[17] MBNA America Bank,[18] WorldPoints Visa Card,[19] AAMCO Transmissions,[20] Peak Performance Motor Oil,[21] and Verizon.[22] Out of the 108 completed Indianapolis 500s (as of the 2023 race), the driver that has started in first place has gone on to win the race 21 times.[23]

The qualifying speed format has been changed four times since the first race in 1911.[24] The starting grid for the first race was determined by the date the IMS received entries, and all cars had to reach 75 mph (121 km/h) on a quarter-mile part of the main straight. This was adjusted to drivers averaging 75 mph (121 km/h) on the whole track in 1912, while the starting grid was still set by the order IMS received postal entries. A blind draw was conducted in both 1913 and 1914 once drivers reached the 75 mph (121 km/h) minimum speed. The qualifying format was revised in 1915 so that the grid was determined by drivers' speeds over a single lap, with a minimum speed of 80 mph (130 km/h). From 1920 to 1932, drivers set the starting order by completing four-lap (10 mi (16 km)) qualifying runs at a set minimum speed between 80 and 95 mph (129 and 153 km/h). From 1933 to 1938, it was a ten-lap (25 mi (40 km)) qualifying speed format with cars carrying 3 US gal (11 L; 2.5 imp gal) of fuel. The four-lap speed format was reinstated in 1939, and the minimum speed requirement was dropped after 1963.[25][26][27]

Qualifying is held on the Saturday (Bump Day) and Sunday (Pole Day) of the weekend preceding the event, whereas qualifying was formerly held over two weekends.[28][29] There have been a number of different qualifying systems in the past; earlier, from 2005 to 2009, pole position through eleventh was determined on the first day of qualifying, with the rest of the grid order set over the next three days.[30] Since 2010, drivers have competed in a knockout-style qualifying system and select qualifiers are awarded season points towards the IndyCar Series championship.[31][32] The top twelve cars from the first day proceed to the second round the following day, and the top six drivers from that round advance to the third and final round, which determines the top six starting places, including pole position.[33] Since 1965, a blind draw is held the night before to determine the qualifying order,[34] and every car has been guaranteed at least one attempt to qualify in the pole position round, regardless if weather or other circumstances interfered since 1971.[35] Previously, the qualifying order was set by teams presenting their cars in a queue beginning at the garage area.[36] Warm-up laps were limited to three after World War II before dropping to two in 1982.[25] Unlike other IndyCar events,[37] each driver completes a four-lap qualifying run with no other cars on track across two days, and their average speed over each lap is used to determine their final starting position.[38]

A total of 67 drivers have won the pole position as of the 2023 race.[23] Rick Mears holds the record for the most Indianapolis 500 pole positions, having qualified first on six occasions.[39] Scott Dixon is second with five pole positions and Hélio Castroneves, A. J. Foyt, and Rex Mays are third with four poles. Eleven drivers have qualified in the pole position for two consecutive years, but no one has won in three years in a row.[23] Mays and Cliff Bergere are the youngest and oldest Indianapolis 500 pole winners, qualifying on pole at the ages of 22 years, 81 days in 1935 and 49 years, and 175 days in 1946, respectively.[40] Scott McLaughlin and Gil Andersen set the fastest and slowest four-lap average pole speeds of 234.220 mph (376.941 km/h) in 2024 and 80.93 mph (130.24 km/h) in 1912, respectively.[15][41]

Procedure

[edit]

Speeds were recorded by the front wheels of cars travelling over a wire stretched across the circuit at the start/finish line an inch from the ground to activate the mechanism to record a lap time on a paper card before switching to using an electric eye in 1946.[42][43] Since 1990, lap times and speeds have been recorded by electronic scoring devices or timing beacon wires embedded in certain places of the track (such as the start/finish line) and are activated by wireless transponders with a unique digital identification carried inside each car. They send digital timing information to a computer system via radio, which includes speed and lap time estimated to the thousandth of a second.[44][45]

All drivers have been permitted two warm-up laps since 1982, down from three between 1946 and 1981.[25] The decision to continue or abandon the effort had to be made before the second warm-up lap was completed.[46] A qualifying attempt begins when a team representative waves a green flag. If they wave the yellow flag, the attempt will not count, and the driver must return to the pit lane. If the team did not display a green flag, a vehicle may leave the pit lane as many times as it wanted.[46][47] Prior to 1974, drivers raised one of their hands in the air to signal to officials that they wanted to start their qualifying run before the change was made to be in line with the procedure conducted at other race circuits.[48][49] Teams are allowed to modify certain parts or electronics on their cars in their pit box following the completion of their qualifying run.[50]

Since 1965, a blind draw conducted by a selected representative from each team (a driver, family member or team representative) has been held the night before qualifying to decide the qualifying order in order to reduce congestion or misunderstandings.[34][46][50] All participants have been guaranteed at least one try to qualify in the pole position round, regardless of weather or other circumstances since 1971.[35] Every driver does their qualifying run with no other car on the circuit and their average speed over all of their laps is used to determine their final starting place. The grid is arranged by 11 rows of three participants each for a total of 33 starting drivers.[38]

1911–2004

[edit]

In 1911, the starting order was determined by the date the IMS received entries, and all cars had to reach 75 mph (121 km/h) on a quarter-mile part of the main straight. This was adjusted to drivers averaging 75 mph (121 km/h) on the whole track in 1912, while the starting grid was still set by the order IMS received postal entries. A blind draw was conducted in both 1913 and 1914 once drivers reached the 75 mph (121 km/h) minimum speed. The qualifying format was revised in 1915 so that the grid was determined by drivers' one-lap speeds, with a minimum speed of 80 mph (130 km/h). From 1920 to 1932, participants set the starting order by completing four-lap (10 mi (16 km)) qualifying runs at a set minimum speed between 80 and 95 mph (129 and 153 km/h). From 1933 to 1938, it was a ten-lap (25 mi (40 km)) qualifying speed format with cars carrying 3 US gal (11 L; 2.5 imp gal) of fuel. The four-lap speed format was reinstated in 1939, and the minimum speed requirement was dropped after 1963.[25][26]

The draw is conducted on a "first-come, first-served" basis, with the fastest 33 drivers starting the race regardless of when they qualified.[47] Previously, the qualifying order was set by teams presenting their cars in a queue that began in the garage area.[36] The quickest qualifier on the first day or the top qualifier following a single trip through the original timing line took pole position, whichever came last. All cars were given three attempts to qualify and its speed was made official after completing four-laps (10 mi (16 km)) and cannot re-qualify. The driver could requalify in another vehicle if it did not qualify or withdrew. After 33 cars qualified, the slowest qualifier, regardless of position in the provisional starting order, could be demoted by a faster car. All successful qualifiers were assured participation in the race based on their qualifying time and speed.[47] The first day's quickest qualifier took the pole position, while the first day qualifiers were followed by those from the previous two or three days through their set qualifying speed, respectively.[46][51]

In 1996 and 1997, the top 25 cars in the Indy Racing League (IRL) points standings were guaranteed a starting position in the race with the final eight spots open for all other entries.[52][53]

2005–2009

[edit]

In order to boost interest, increase action, and attract more spectators, IMS officials changed the qualifying format to a four-session format known as "11-11-11" in 2005. On the first three days, 11 cars qualified, and bumping occurred on each day once position 11 was taken and within the allocated positions. Positions 11 to pole position were taken on the first day, positions 12 to 22 on the second, and positions 23 to 33 on the third. If the third day completed the starting order, the fourth and final day (Bump Day) permitted a participant that lapped faster than one that qualified in the previous three days to demote the slowest entrant from the starting order. It would take 33rd place or better if the driver went faster than any other Bump Day qualifier.[51][54][55] Bumping would be widespread throughout the starting order under this format, rather than being restricted to the slowest vehicles.[55] If the 11 starting slots on one day were not filled, they would be considered for the next day. Rain could not end a session early if all 33 spots were filled.[55] If the field was not complete, the IRL and IMS decided the time teams would have for the next available day.[56]

All cars, backup or primary, were given three attempts each day or twelve over all four days to qualify for the race.[51][55] Any driver who set the same qualifying time and speed as a participant on the first day would be placed based on where they qualified on that day. If the time and speed are the slowest overall, the participant who set the time and speed on the second day will be the first to fail to qualify.[56] If a vehicle failed to qualify on any qualifying day, it was allowed to return to the qualifying line and attempt to re-qualify based on how many attempts it had left. Entrants could still withdraw a qualified car if necessary, although it could still attempt to qualify based on the number of tries it had left for that day. Unlike previous formats, no car had to be withdrawn from the race.[51] If a car was withdrawn from the event, the rest of the field would gain one position.[56] This system, according to IMS historian Donald Davidson and author Rick Shaffer, offered the best drivers more chances to claim the pole position.[30]

2010–2013

[edit]

In 2010, a new "made-for-TV" two-day shootout format based loosely on the IndyCar Series' road and street course qualifying procedure was implemented.[32][57] The format gradually decreased the field to determine the pole position starter.[58] The first six-hour qualifying day filled the top 24 spots. All cars had three tries to set a qualifying speed, and positions 10 through 24 were set after the session.[31][57] The quickest nine entrants' lap times and speeds were erased,[30] and they all advanced to the 90-minute Fast Nine Shootout session, which determined pole position through ninth.[31] They started from the fastest to the slowest,[32] and each driver had to finish at least one more run with the option of another if time allowed.[30][57]

If the Fast Nine Shootout was cancelled due to inclement weather, the starting order would be set by each driver's lap times from the previous session.[32] The following day's session determined places 24 to 33, and bumping commenced when 33 cars qualified.[31] Any qualifying speed quicker than a previously qualified car would mean that car was demoted from the starting grid, regardless of the day it qualified, and any car other than those that qualified for the Fast Nine Shootout risked not qualifying.[31][59] The demoted entrant was withdrawn from the field but granted three attempts to return to the grid, time permitting, and the car that demoted it was put at the back of the starting grid.[58] There would only be one day of qualifying if rain disrupted the first day. All 33 starting positions would be set and the Fast Nine Shootout would not happen.[59]

In contrast to previous IndyCar Series races, where only the polesitter received one point, all 33 qualifying drivers earned championship points. The pole winner earned 15 points, with second and third receiving 13 and 12, respectively. Those who qualified on the second and third rows scored between 11 and 6 points in descending order. Each driver in positions 10 to 24 gained four points, while drivers in positions 25 to 33 got three points.[31][57] Following the first and fastest four-lap average speed recorded during the Fast Nine Shootout by driver Hélio Castroneves, which was therefore unbeatable, the rules were changed such that all nine entrants of the session would run in reverse order from slowest to quickest.[30]

2014–2018

[edit]

In 2014, a two-day format was established. IndyCar officials planned three sessions over two days to increase broadcast viewership, track attendance, and entertainment.[60][61] On the first day, the top 33 entries completed the provisional starting grid, and each car had at least one qualifying attempt. The fastest nine entrants qualified for the following day's Fast Nine Shootout.[60][62] If more than 33 vehicles were entered, a driver who was not among the top 33 qualifiers did not advance to the second day's session.[61]

The pit lane was divided into two distinct lanes. The first was called the "Priority Lane" for non-qualified vehicles or ones that had their previous qualifying lap times withdrawn, while the second was for already qualified drivers who desired another attempt. The withdrawal of the time was unnecessary.[62] All of the previous day's laps were erased the next day, and those in positions 10 to 33 had to make another attempt to set the starting order. To set the top nine positions, the Fast Nine Shootout's nine qualifiers went out in reverse order from the previous day's slowest to fastest speeds.[61][62]

Every qualifier on the first day received points, with the fastest driver getting 33 points and the slowest contender receiving one point. The pole sitting earned nine points, while the driver in ninth received one point.[63] In 2016, this was changed to qualifying's second day, with the pole sitter collecting 42 points down to the 33rd-placed qualifier earning one point.[64] The qualifying points format was significantly revised in 2018, with the pole sitter receiving nine points, down to one point for the ninth-placed qualifier.[65]

2019–present

[edit]

Following debate when driver James Hinchcliffe failed to qualify in 2018, a modified version of the two-day format intended to be more exciting was used from 2019.[66][67] Every driver had one qualifying run to claim a top 30 starting position on the first day, but more attempts could be made time and weather permitting until the track was closed. Positions 10 to 30 were claimed and did not re-qualify the following day.[68] The second day included a one-hour Last Row Shootout for the slowest three qualifiers, as well as the Fast Nine Shootout.[68] Each car in both sessions received one try, and their prior day's times were erased. The Last Row Shootout's order to set places 31 to 33 and demote any one from the starting order was based on the previous day's results, and the Fast Nine Shootout to set pole position through ninth ran in reverse order from the slowest to the quickest car from the previous day.[66][68] The Last Row Shootout was extended to 75 minutes in 2020 to give each competitor three qualifying chances.[69]

IndyCar modified the format again in 2022 to more closely resemble its qualifying procedure on road and street circuits.[70] Following the first day of qualifying to determine positions 13 to 30 through drivers' speeds,[70] there would be two sessions to set the first four rows, including the pole position.[33] The 60-minute Last Chance Qualifying session would occur if there were more than 33 entries and all were guaranteed of one or multiple tries until the session ended to decide positions 31 to 33 and the car that does not qualify for the race.[37][50] Those in 13th to 33rd had their starting positions guaranteed if just 33 cars were entered.[71] If a driver makes multiple tries, all of their other times are deleted, and the top non-qualified entry takes 33rd place.[33] Participants got an extra cool-down lap after each attempt to reduce the effect of heat soak and to make further tries until there were 10 minutes left.[72] The top 12 qualifiers compete in the second round of qualifying, with the fastest six advancing to the ensuing Fast Six Shootout to determine pole position to sixth place based on their final performance.[71] The top six slowest qualifiers start from places seven through twelve according to their set time. Each driver receives one attempt in each session, which are run in reverse order from slowest to fastest.[33]

Beginning in 2023, the format's schedule was adjusted. The Top 12 Qualifying session now occurs before the Last Chance Qualifying session.[73] Points are currently granted to the first 12 qualifiers, with the pole position starter earning 12 points and the driver starting in 12th place earning one.[33]

By year

[edit]
Polesitters of the Indianapolis 500 by year[74][75][76]
Year Date Driver[77] No. Team Make Tire Speed Finish Ref
Time MPH KPH
1911 May 26  Lewis Strang (USA)* 1 Case Corporation Case-Wisconsin Unk Passed 5/26 29 [78]
1912 May 27  Gil Andersen (USA)*‡ 1 Ideal Motor Car Company Stutz-Wisconsin Unk 1:51.20 80.93[d] 130.24 16 [80]
1913 May 27  Caleb Bragg (USA)†‡ 19 Mercer Automobile Company Mercer Unk 1:42.86 87.34[e] 140.56 15 [81]
1914 May 26  Jean Chassagne (FRA) (R)†‡ 12 Sunbeam Motor Car Company Sunbeam Unk 1:41.91 88.31[f] 142.12 29 [82]
1915 May 23  Howdy Wilcox (USA) 1 Stutz Motor Car Company Stutz Unk 1:31.00 98.80 159.00 7 [83]
1916 May 26  Johnny Aitken (USA) 18 Indianapolis Speedway Team Company Peugeot EX3 Unk 1:33.83 95.90 155.61 15 [84]
1917–1918
Not held as a result of World War I
 [79]
1919 May 27  René Thomas (FRA) 31 Ernest Ballot Ballot Unk 1:25.89 104.78 168.63 11 [85]
1920 May 26  Ralph DePalma (USA) 2 Ralph DePalma Ballot Unk 1:30.08 99.15 159.57 5 [86]
1921 May 25  Ralph DePalma (USA) 4 Ralph DePalma Ballot Unk 1:29.11 100.75 162.14 12 [87]
1922 May 25  Jimmy Murphy (USA) 35 Jimmy Murphy Duesenberg-Miller F 5:58.24 100.50 161.74 1 [88]
1923 May 26  Tommy Milton (USA) 1 H. C. S. Motor Company Miller F 5:32.81 108.17 174.08 1 [89]
1924 May 26  Jimmy Murphy (USA) 2 Jimmy Murphy Miller F 5:33.20 108.037 173.869 3 [90]
1925 May 26  Leon Duray (USA) 28 Harry Hartz Miller F 5:18.03 113.196 182.171 6 [91]
1926 May 27  Earl Cooper (USA) 5 Miller Automobiles Miller F 5:22.19 111.735 179.820 16 [92]
1927 May 26  Frank Lockhart (USA) 2 Frank S Lockhart Miller F 4:59.75 120.100 193.282 18 [93]
1928 May 26  Leon Duray (USA) 4 Leon Duray Miller F 4:54.14 122.391 196.969 19 [94]
1929 May 25  Cliff Woodbury (USA) 8 Cliff R Woodbury Miller Unk 4:58.51 120.599 194.085 33 [95]
1930 May 24  Billy Arnold (USA) 4 Harry Hartz Summers-Miller F 5:17.83 113.268 182.287 1 [96]
1931 May 23  Russ Snowberger (USA)‡ 4 Russell Snowberger Snowberger-Studebaker F 5:19.16 112.796[g] 181.528 5 [98]
1932 May 21  Lou Moore (USA) 8 M. J. Boyle Miller F 5:06.74 117.363 188.877 25 [99]
1933 May 20  Bill Cummings (USA) 5 M. J. Boyle Miller F 12:39.30 118.530[h] 190.756 25 [101]
1934 May 19  Kelly Petillo (USA) 17 Joe Marks Adams-Miller F 12:34.22 119.329 192.041 11 [102]
1935 May 18  Rex Mays (USA)[i] 33 Paul Weirick Adams-Miller F 12:25.43 120.736 194.306 17 [104]
1936 May 16  Rex Mays (USA) 33 Paul Weirick Adams-Sparks F 12:32.23 119.644 192.548 15 [105]
1937 May 15  Bill Cummings (USA)‡ 16 H. C. Henning Miller-Offenhauser F 12:09.67 123.343[j] 198.501 6 [106]
1938 May 21  Floyd Roberts (USA)‡ 23 Lou Moore Wetteroth-Miller F 11:56.10 125.681[k] 202.264 1 [108]
1939 May 20  Jimmy Snyder (USA) 10 Thorne Engineering Adams-Sparks F 4:36.63 130.138 209.437 2 [109]
1940 May 18  Rex Mays (USA) 33 Bowes Racing Stevens-Winfield F 4:41.58 127.850 205.755 2 [110]
1941 May 17  Mauri Rose (USA) 3 Lou Moore Maserati 8CTF F 4:39.74 128.691 207.108 26 [111]
1942–1945
Not held as a result of World War II
 [79]
1946 May 18  Cliff Bergere (USA)‡ 3 Shirley Bergere Wetteroth-Offenhauser F 4:44.65 126.471[l] 203.535 16 [43]
1947 May 17  Ted Horn (USA)‡ 1 H. C. Henning Maserati 8CTF F 4:44.44 126.564[m] 203.685 3 [112]
1948 May 15  Rex Mays (USA)‡ 5 Bowes Racing Kurtis-Winfield F 4:35.70 130.577[n] 210.143 19 [113]
1949 May 14  Duke Nalon (USA) 54 W. C. Winfield Kurtis-Novi F 4:38.80 132.939 213.945 29 [114]
1950 May 13  Walt Faulkner (USA) (R) 98 J. C. Agajanian Kurtis KK2000-Offenhauser F 4:27.97 134.343 216.204 7 [115]
1951 May 12  Duke Nalon (USA)‡ 54 Jean Marcenac Kurtis-Novi F 4:23.75 136.498[o] 219.672 10 [116]
1952 May 17  Fred Agabashian (USA)‡ 28 Cummins Engine Co Kurtis-Cummins F 4:20.85 138.010[p] 222.106 27 [117]
1953 May 17  Bill Vukovich (USA) 14 Howard B. Keck Kurtis KK500A-Offenhauser F 4:20.13 138.392 222.720 1 [118]
1954 May 15  Jack McGrath (USA) 2 Jack B. Hinkle Kurtis KK500C-Offenhauser F 4:15.26 141.033 226.791 3 [119]
1955 May 14  Jerry Hoyt (USA)‡ 23 Jim Robbins Stevens-Offenhauser F 4:17.06 140.045[q] 225.381 31 [120]
1956 May 19  Pat Flaherty (USA) 8 John Zink Watson-Offenhauser F 4:07.26 145.596 234.314 1 [121]
1957 May 18  Pat O'Connor (USA)‡ 12 Chapman S. Root Kurtis KK500G-Offenhauser F 4:10.09 143.948[r] 231.662 8 [122]
1958 May 17  Dick Rathmann (USA) 97 Lee Elkins Watson-Offenhauser F 4:06.62 145.974 234.922 27 [123]
1959 May 16  Johnny Thomson (USA) 3 Racing Associates Lesovsky-Offenhauser F 4:06.73 145.908 234.816 3 [124]
1960 May 14  Eddie Sachs (USA)‡ 6 Dean Van Lines Racing Ewing-Offenhauser F 4:05.58 146.592[s] 235.917 21 [125]
1961 May 13  Eddie Sachs (USA) 12 Dean Van Lines Racing Ewing-Offenhauser F 4:04.10 147.481 237.348 2 [126]
1962 May 12  Parnelli Jones (USA) 98 J. C. Agajanian Watson-Offenhauser F 3:59.41 150.370 241.997 7 [127]
1963 May 18  Parnelli Jones (USA) 98 J. C. Agajanian Watson-Offenhauser F 3:58.17 151.153 243.257 1 [128]
1964 May 16  Jim Clark (GBR) 6 Team Lotus Lotus 34-Ford D 3:46.66 158.828 255.609 24 [129]
1965 May 15  A. J. Foyt (USA) 1 Ansted-Thompson Racing Lotus 34-Ford G 3:43.28 161.233 259.479 15 [130]
1966 May 14  Mario Andretti (USA) 1 Dean Van Lines Racing Brawner Hawk Mk I-Ford F 3:37.00 165.899 266.989 18 [131]
1967 May 13  Mario Andretti (USA) 1 Dean Van Lines Racing Brawner Hawk Mk II-Ford F 3:33.04 168.982 271.950 30 [132]
1968 May 18  Joe Leonard (USA) 60 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Lotus 56-Pratt & Whitney F 3:29.84 171.559 276.097 12 [133]
1969 May 24  A. J. Foyt (USA) 6 Ansted-Thompson Racing Coyote-Ford G 3:31.06 170.568 274.503 8 [134]
1970 May 16  Al Unser (USA) 2 Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing Colt 70-Ford F 3:31.49 170.221 273.944 1 [135]
1971 May 15  Peter Revson (USA) 86 Team McLaren McLaren M16-Offenhauser G 3:21.46 178.696 287.583 2 [136]
1972 May 14  Bobby Unser (USA) 6 All American Racers Eagle 72-Offenhauser G 3:03.73 195.940 315.335 30 [137]
1973 May 12  Johnny Rutherford (USA) 7 Team McLaren McLaren M16C-Offenhauser G 3:01.44 198.413 319.315 9 [138]
1974 May 11  A. J. Foyt (USA) 14 Gilmore Racing Team Coyote-Ford G 3:07.86 191.632 308.402 15 [139]
1975 May 10  A. J. Foyt (USA) 14 Gilmore Racing Team Coyote-Ford G 3:05.59 193.976 312.174 3 [140]
1976 May 15  Johnny Rutherford (USA)‡ 2 Bruce McLaren Motor Racing McLaren M16E-Offenhauser G 3:10.52 188.957[t] 304.097 1 [141]
1977 May 14  Tom Sneva (USA) 8 Penske Racing McLaren M24-Cosworth G 3:01.01 198.884 320.073 2 [142]
1978 May 20  Tom Sneva (USA) 1 Penske Racing Penske PC-6-Cosworth G 2:58.08 202.156 325.339 2 [143]
1979 May 13  Rick Mears (USA) 1 Penske Racing Penske PC-6-Cosworth G 3:05.82 193.736 311.788 1 [144]
1980 May 10  Johnny Rutherford (USA) 4 Chaparral Racing Chaparral 2K-Cosworth G 3:07.25 192.256 309.406 1 [145]
1981 May 16  Bobby Unser (USA)‡ 3 Penske Racing Penske PC9B-Cosworth G 2:59.51 200.546[u] 322.748 1 [146]
1982 May 15  Rick Mears (USA) 1 Penske Racing Penske PC10B-Cosworth G 2:53.91 207.004 333.141 2 [147]
1983 May 21  Teo Fabi (ITA) (R) 33 Forsythe Racing March 83C-Cosworth G 2:53.582 207.395 333.770 26 [148]
1984 May 12  Tom Sneva (USA) 1 Mayer Motor Racing March 84C-Cosworth G 2:51.405 210.029 338.009 16 [149]
1985 May 11  Pancho Carter (USA) 6 Galles Racing March 85C-Buick G 2:49.346 212.583 342.119 33 [150]
1986 May 10  Rick Mears (USA) 4 Penske Racing March 86C-Cosworth G 2:46.030 216.828 348.951 3 [151]
1987 May 9  Mario Andretti (USA) 5 Newman/Haas Racing Lola T87/00-Chevrolet G 2:47.135 215.390 346.637 9 [152]
1988 May 14  Rick Mears (USA) 5 Penske Racing Penske PC-17-Chevrolet G 2:44.235 219.198 352.765 1 [153]
1989 May 14  Rick Mears (USA) 4 Penske Racing Penske PC-18-Chevrolet G 2:40.797 223.885 360.308 23 [154]
1990 May 13  Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA) 1 Penske Racing Penske PC-19-Chevrolet G 2:39.786 225.301 362.587 3 [155]
1991 May 11  Rick Mears (USA)‡ 3 Penske Racing Penske PC-20-Chevrolet G 2:40.633 224.113[v] 360.675 1 [156]
1992 May 9  Roberto Guerrero (COL) 36 King Racing Lola T92/00-Buick G 2:34.851 232.482 374.144 33 [157]
1993 May 15  Arie Luyendyk (NED) 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Lola T93/00-Ford G 2:40.738 223.967 360.440 2 [158]
1994 May 14  Al Unser Jr. (USA) 31 Penske Racing Penske PC-23-Mercedes-Benz G 2:37.887 228.011 366.948 1 [159]
1995 May 13  Scott Brayton (USA) 60 Team Menard Lola T95/00-Buick/Menard G 2:35.438 231.604 372.731 17 [160]
1996 May 11  Tony Stewart (USA)[w] (R)‡ 20 Team Menard Lola T95/00-Buick/Menard F 2:34.440 233.100[x] 375.138 24 [52]
1997 May 10  Arie Luyendyk (NED) 5 Treadway Racing G-Force GF01-Oldsmobile Aurora F 2:44.939 218.263 351.260 1 [53]
1998 May 16  Billy Boat (USA) 11 A. J. Foyt Racing Dallara IR-7-Oldsmobile Aurora G 2:40.072 223.503 359.693 23 [162]
1999 May 22  Arie Luyendyk (NED) 5 Treadway Racing G-Force GF01-Oldsmobile Aurora F 2:39.873 225.179 362.390 22 [163]
2000 May 20  Greg Ray (USA) 1 Team Menard Dallara IR-00-Oldsmobile Aurora F 2:41.095 223.471 359.672 33 [164]
2001 May 12  Scott Sharp (USA) 8 Kelley Racing Dallara IR-01-Oldsmobile Aurora F 2:39.2658 226.037 363.771 33 [165]
2002 May 11  Bruno Junqueira (BRA) 33 Chip Ganassi Racing G-Force GF05-Chevrolet F 2:35.6136 231.342 372.309 31 [166]
2003 May 11  Hélio Castroneves (BRA) 3 Team Penske Dallara IR-03-Toyota F 2:35.3564 231.725 372.925 2 [167]
2004 May 15  Buddy Rice (USA) 15 Rahal Letterman Racing Panoz G-Force GF09-Honda F 2:42.1445 222.024 357.313 1 [168]
2005 May 15  Tony Kanaan (BRA)‡ 11 Andretti Green Racing Dallara IR-03-Honda F 2:38.1961 227.566[y] 366.232 8 [169]
2006 May 20  Sam Hornish Jr. (USA) 6 Team Penske Dallara IR-03-Honda F 2:37.2155 228.985 368.516 1 [170]
2007 May 12  Hélio Castroneves (BRA) 3 Team Penske Dallara IR-05-Honda F 2:39.4214 225.817 363.417 3 [171]
2008 May 10  Scott Dixon (NZL) 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara IR-05-Honda F 2:39.0348 226.366 364.301 1 [172]
2009 May 9  Hélio Castroneves (BRA) 3 Team Penske Dallara IR-05-Honda F 2:40.0967 224.864 361.880 1 [173]
2010 May 22  Hélio Castroneves (BRA) 3 Team Penske Dallara IR-05-Honda F 2:37.9154 227.970 367.809 9 [174]
2011 May 21  Alex Tagliani (CAN) 77 Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IR-05-Honda F 2:38.2613 227.472 366.081 28 [175]
2012 May 19  Ryan Briscoe (AUS) 2 Team Penske Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:38.9514 226.484 364.491 5 [176]
2013 May 18  Ed Carpenter (USA)‡ 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:37.3689 228.762[z] 368.156 10 [178]
2014 May 18  Ed Carpenter (USA) 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:35.7992 231.067 371.866 27 [179]
2015 May 17  Scott Dixon (NZL) 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:38.7579 226.760[aa] 364.935 4 [181]
2016 May 22  James Hinchcliffe (CAN) 5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Dallara DW12-Honda F 2:36.0063 230.760[ab] 371.371 7 [183]
2017 May 21  Scott Dixon (NZL) 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara DW12-Honda F 2:35.0630 232.164 373.632 32 [184]
2018 May 20  Ed Carpenter (USA) 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:36.7818 229.618 369.534 2 [185]
2019 May 19  Simon Pagenaud (FRA)‡ 22 Team Penske Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:36.5271 229.992[ac] 370.136 1 [187]
2020 August 16  Marco Andretti (USA) 98 Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Dallara DW12-Honda F 2:35.7985 231.068[ad] 371.868 13 [189]
2021 May 23  Scott Dixon (NZL) 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara DW12-Honda F 2:35.3837 231.685[ae] 372.861 17 [191]
2022 May 22  Scott Dixon (NZL) 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara DW12-Honda F 2:33.8162 234.046 376.661 21 [192]
2023 May 21  Álex Palou (ESP) 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara DW12-Honda F 2:33.7037 234.217 376.936 4 [193]
2024 May 19  Scott McLaughlin (NZL) 3 Team Penske Dallara DW12-Chevrolet F 2:33.7017 234.220 376.940 6 [15]

By driver

[edit]
Rick Mears in 2021
Rick Mears (pictured in 2021) holds the record for the most pole positions in the Indianapolis 500 with six.
Scott Dixon in 2021
Scott Dixon (pictured in 2021) has qualified on pole position for the race on five occasions.
Multiple pole positions by driver[74]
Driver Poles Years
Rick Mears 6 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991
Scott Dixon 5 2008, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022
Hélio Castroneves 4 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010
A. J. Foyt 1965, 1969, 1974, 1975
Rex Mays 1935, 1936, 1940, 1948
Mario Andretti 3 1966, 1967, 1987
Ed Carpenter 2013, 2014, 2018
Arie Luyendyk 1993, 1997, 1999
Johnny Rutherford 1973, 1976, 1980
Tom Sneva 1977, 1978, 1984
Bill Cummings 2 1933, 1937
Ralph DePalma 1920, 1921
Leon Duray 1925, 1928
Parnelli Jones 1962, 1963
Jimmy Murphy 1922, 1924
Duke Nalon 1949, 1951
Eddie Sachs 1960, 1961
Bobby Unser 1972, 1981

By driver nationality

[edit]
List of pole positions won, by nationality of driver[74]
Rank Licence Poles Drivers
1  United States 82 50
2  Brazil 7 4
3  New Zealand 6 2
4  France 3 3
 Netherlands 3 1
6  Canada 2 2
7  Australia 1 1
 Colombia 1 1
 Italy 1 1
 Spain 1 1
 United Kingdom 1 1

By team

[edit]
Teams by number of Indianapolis 500 pole positions[74]
Teams Poles Year(s)
Team Penske 19 1977–1979, 1981–1982, 1986, 1988–1991, 1994, 2003, 2006–2007, 2009–2010, 2012, 2019, 2024
Chip Ganassi Racing 8 1993, 2002, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2021–2023
Dean Van Lines Racing 4 1960–1961, 1966–1967
A. J. Foyt Racing 3 1974–1975, 1998
Ed Carpenter Racing 2013–2014, 2018
J. C. Agajanian 1950–1962–1963
Team McLaren 1971, 1973, 1976
Team Menard 1995, 1996, 2000
Andretti Autosport 2 2005, 2020
Ansted-Thompson Racing 1965, 1969
Bowes Racing 1940, 1948
H. C. Henning 1937, 1947
Harry Hartz 1925, 1930
Jimmy Murphy 1922, 1924
Lou Moore 1938, 1941
M. J. Boyle 1932, 1933
Paul Weirick 1935, 1936
Ralph DePalma 1920, 1921
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports 2011, 2016
Treadway Racing 1997, 1999
Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing 1968, 1970
All American Racers 1 1972
Case Corporation 1911
Chaparral Racing 1980
Chapman S. Root 1957
Cliff R Woodbury 1929
Cummins Engine Co 1952
Ernest Ballot 1919
Forsythe Racing 1983
Frank S Lockhart 1927
Galles Racing 1985
H. C. S. Motor Company 1923
Howard B. Keck 1953
Ideal Motor Car Company 1912
Indianapolis Speedway Team Company 1916
Jack B. Hinkle 1954
Jean Marcenac 1951
Jim Robbins 1955
Joe Marks 1934
John Zink 1956
Kelley Racing 2001
King Racing 1992
Lee Elkins 1958
Leon Duray 1928
Mayer Motor Racing 1984
Miller Autosports 1926
Newman/Haas Racing 1987
Racing Associates 1959
Rahal Letterman Racing 2004
Russell Snowberger 1931
Shirley Bergere 1946
Stutz Motor Car Company 1915
Sunbeam Motor Car Company 1914
Team Lotus 1964
Thorne Engineering 1939
W. C. Winfield 1949

By car make

[edit]
Car makes by Indianapolis 500 pole positions[74]
Make Poles Year(s)
Dallara 24 1998, 2000–2001, 2003, 2005–2024
Miller 10 1923–1929, 1932–1933, 1937
Penske 9 1978–1979, 1981–1982, 1978–1991, 1994
Kurtis Kraft 8 1948–1954, 1957
Lola 5 1987, 1992–1993, 1995, 1996
Adams 4 1934–1936, 1939
A. J. Watson 1956, 1958, 1962–1963
Panoz 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004
March 1983–1986
McLaren 1971, 1973, 1976–1977
Ballot 3 1919–1921
Coyote 1969, 1974–1975
Lotus 1964–1965, 1968
Brawner Hawk 2 1966–1967
Ewing 1960–1961
Maserati 1941–1947
Stevens 1940, 1955
Stutz 1912, 1915
Wetteroth 1938, 1946
Case 1 1911
Chaparral 1980
Colt 1970
Duesenberg 1922
Eagle 1972
Lesovsky 1959
Mercer 1913
Peugeot 1916
Snowberger 1931
Summers 1930
Sunbeam 1914

By engine manufacturer

[edit]
Engine manufacturers by number of Indianapolis 500 poles[74]
Manufacturers Poles Year(s)
Offenhauser 18 1937, 1946, 1950, 1953–1963, 1971–1973, 1976
Honda 14 2004–2011, 2016–2017, 2020–2023
Miller 1922–1930, 1932–1935, 1938
Chevrolet 13 1987–1991, 2002, 2012–2015, 2018–2019, 2024
Cosworth 9 1977–1984, 1986
Ford 1964–1967, 1969–1970, 1974–1975, 1993
Oldsmobile Aurora 5 1997–2001
Buick 4 1985, 1992, 1995–1996
Ballot 3 1919–1921
Maserati 2 1941, 1947
Menard 1995–1996
Novi 1949, 1951
Sparks 1936, 1939
Wisconsin 1911–1912
Cummins 1 1952
Mercer 1913
Mercedes-Benz 1994
Peugeot 1916
Pratt & Whitney 1968
Studebaker 1931
Stutz 1915
Sunbeam 1914
Toyota 2003
Winfield 1940

By tire make

[edit]
Indianapolis 500 pole positions by tire manufacturer[74]
Rank Manufacturer Poles Year(s)
1 F Firestone 69 1922–1928, 1930–1963, 1966–1968, 1970, 1996–1997, 1999–2024[af]
2 G Goodyear 28 1965, 1969, 1971–1995, 1998
3 D Dunlop 1 1964

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ It was called the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race in 1911, the Liberty Sweepstakes in 1919, and the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes Race again from 1920 to 1980.[1]
  2. ^ The prize money was initially $6,000,[6] before being increased to $10,000,[7] $22,500,[8] $25,000 and finally $27,500.[9][10]
  3. ^ Drivers who took the pole position on the first day of qualifying were presented with the 33 in (2.8 ft) gold Robert M. Bowes Memorial Trophy that was named after car owner Robert M. Bowes and established by Bowes Seal Fast employees in 1946.[11] The Walter E. Lyon Memorial Trophy was later presented to the fastest qualifying driver.[12]
  4. ^ David Bruce-Brown was the fastest overall qualifier with a speed of 88.45 mph (142.35 km/h).[79]
  5. ^ Jack Tower was the fastest overall qualifier with a speed of 88.23 mph (141.99 km/h).[79]
  6. ^ Georges Boillot was the fastest overall qualifier with a speed of 99.86 mph (160.71 km/h).[79]
  7. ^ Billy Arnold was the fastest qualifier but was disqualified for having his brakes disconnected.[97] He set the fastest overall qualifying speed of 116.080 mph (186.813 km/h) and began from 18th.[79]
  8. ^ Contemporary sources reported that the 1933 average pole speed was 118.521 mph (190.741 km/h).[100]
  9. ^ Kelly Petillo qualified fastest with an average speed of 121.687 mph (195.836 km/h), but was disqualified for using 5/8 pint too much fuel. Mays was elevated to the pole position.[103]
  10. ^ Jimmy Snyder in 19th set the fastest qualifying speed of 125.287 mph (201.630 km/h).[79] Contemporary news reports said that the 1937 average pole speed was 123.455 mph (198.682 km/h).[106]
  11. ^ 10th-place qualifier Ronney Householder set the quickest qualifying speed of 125.769 mph (202.406 km/h).[79] Roberts' pole speed was announced as 125.506 mph (201.982 km/h) before it was corrected to 125.681 mph (202.264 km/h).[107]
  12. ^ Ralph Hepburn in 19th recorded the fastest qualifying speed of 133.944 mph (215.562 km/h).[79]
  13. ^ Bill Holland, who started 8th, recorded the fastest qualifying speed of 128.755 mph (207.211 km/h).[79]
  14. ^ Duke Nalon set the fastest qualifying speed of 131.603 mph (211.794 km/h) and took 11th.[79]
  15. ^ The fastest overall qualifier was Walt Faulkner in 14th who recorded a speed of 136.872 mph (220.274 km/h).[79]
  16. ^ The fastest qualifier was Chet Miller who set a speed of 139.034 mph (223.754 km/h) for 27th.[79]
  17. ^ The fastest qualifier was Jack McGrath who set a speed of 142.580 mph (229.460 km/h) for 8th place.[79]
  18. ^ Paul Russo in 10th went fastest overall in qualifying with a speed of 144.817 mph (233.060 km/h).[79]
  19. ^ Jim Hurtubise took 20th and went quickest overall in qualifying with a speed of 149.056 mph (239.882 km/h).[79]
  20. ^ The fastest overall qualifier was Mario Andretti with a speed of 189.404 mph (304.816 km/h) for 19th.[79]
  21. ^ The fastest overall qualifier was Tom Sneva with a speed of 200.691 mph (322.981 km/h) that put him 20th.[79]
  22. ^ The fastest overall qualifier was Gary Bettenhausen with a speed of 224.468 mph (361.246 km/h) that put him 13th.[79]
  23. ^ Scott Brayton was the fastest in qualifying, but his car was taken over by Danny Ongais after he died in a practice accident. Arie Luyendyk was disqualified from second place as his car was 7 lb (3.2 kg) underweight. All this promoted Stewart to the pole position.[52]
  24. ^ Arie Luyendyk set the one-lap IMS record of 237.498 mph (382.216 km/h) and the four-lap track record of 236.986 mph (381.392 km/h) in the second day of qualifying and qualified 20th.[161]
  25. ^ Kenny Bräck recorded the fastest overall speed of 227.598 mph (366.283 km/h) in qualifying to start from 23rd place.[79]
  26. ^ Will Power had the fastest qualifying speed of 228.844 mph (368.289 km/h).[177]
  27. ^ Ryan Hunter-Reay had the fastest overall qualifying speed of 229.845 mph (369.900 km/h) but it was voided because of inclement weather on the first day of qualifying.[180]
  28. ^ The fastest overall qualifying speed of 230.946 mph (371.672 km/h) was recorded by Hinchcliffe during the first day of qualifying.[182]
  29. ^ Spencer Pigot recorded the fastest qualifying speed of 230.083 mph (370.283 km/h) in the first day of qualifying.[186]
  30. ^ Marco Andretti posted the fastest qualifying attempt of 231.351 mph (372.323 km/h) on qualifying's first day.[188]
  31. ^ Scott Dixon recorded the fastest overall speed of 231.828 mph (373.091 km/h) during the first day of qualifying.[190]
  32. ^ All tires have been provided by Firestone since 2000.[74]

References

[edit]
General
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  • "Results". IndyCar Series. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
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