IndyCar: Way-Too-Early Indianapolis 500 Driver Rankings

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May 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Verizon Indy Car driver Townsend Bell leads a pack of cars down the main straightaway during the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s April, which means that next month is May already. That means that the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 is next month. Where are the committed Indy 500 drivers ranked in the way-too-early rankings for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”?

Only two of the five Verizon IndyCar Series races that precede this year’s Indianapolis 500 are in the books. But now that it is April, the Indianapolis 500 is coming up next month, and before we know it, that will become the primary focus of the racing world. Let’s have a look at some of the early underdogs and favorites among committed drivers to win the Indy 500 before Indy 500 news floods your social media feed.

Comments and debates about positioning on this list are strongly encouraged; after all, the race is still over six weeks away and only 30 drivers officially have rides.

Note that there are still empty seats available for other drivers to fill before the race rolls around on Sunday, May 28th, 2017.

Before we get into the rankings, let’s have a look at the past 10 winners of the Indianapolis 500 dating back to the 2007 race.

2007

Dario Franchitti, Andretti Green Racing, Honda

2008

Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda

2009

Helio Castroneves, Marlboro Team Penske, Honda

2010

Dario Franchitti, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda

2011

Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta Autosport, Honda

2012

Dario Franchitti, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda

2013

Tony Kanaan, KV Racing Technology, Chevrolet

2014

Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport, Honda

2015

Juan Pablo Montoya, Team Penske, Chevrolet

2016

Alexander Rossi, Andretti Herta Autosport, Honda