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Indy 500: Top 10 Indianapolis 500 drivers of all-time

By Asher Fair

INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves, driver of the #3 Team Penske Dallara Honda, leads a pack of cars at the start of the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 27: Helio Castroneves, driver of the #3 Team Penske Dallara Honda, leads a pack of cars at the start of the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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Mario Andretti (USA) in action at the 1991 Long Beach Grand Prix.
Mario Andretti (USA) in action at the 1991 Long Beach Grand Prix. /

Other drivers who were considered

More from IndyCar

There have been hundreds of drivers who have driven in the Indianapolis 500 since it began back in 1911, yet only 10 made this list as the top 10 drivers in the history of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

However, while only 10 drivers and the two honorable mentions were discussed in this article, there were several others who very well could have made the top 10 on this list.

Here is a list of several of the other drivers who did not get on this list despite the fact that they were among the top contenders to do so.

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winners

  • Bobby Unser
  • Johnny Rutherford
  • Mauri Rose

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winners

  • Emerson Fittipaldi
  • Gordon Johncock
  • Rodger Ward
  • Tommy Milton
  • Arie Luyendyk
  • Al Unser Jr.

One-time Indianapolis 500 winners with 300+ Indianapolis 500 laps led

  • Ralph DePalma
  • Mario Andretti
  • Parnelli Jones
  • Scott Dixon
  • Billy Arnold
  • Tony Kanaan

Other notables

  • Michael Andretti
  • Jim Clark
  • Bill Holland

Formulated Top 10 Indianapolis 500 drivers of all-time

These rankings of the top 10 Indy 500 drivers of all-time were determined by a formula. All drivers’ Indy 500 wins count as 10 points, while each of their career laps led in Indy 500 races count as .01 point and 1% of their career Indy 500 laps led count as .1 points.

Rank Name Wins Laps led Percentage Points
1 Al Unser 4 644 0.1478 47.918
2 A.J. Foyt 4 555 0.1131 46.681
3 Rick Mears 4 429 0.1832 46.122
4 Wilbur Shaw 3 508 0.2516 37.596
5 Bobby Unser 3 466 0.1685 36.345
6 Louis Meyer 3 332 0.1733 35.053
7 Dario Franchitti 3 329 0.1696 34.986
9 Johnny Rutherford 3 296 0.1069 34.029
8 Helio Castroneves 3 305 0.0937 33.987
10 Mauri Rose 3 256 0.1101 33.661

Next: Top 10 most unbreakable records across Formula One, NASCAR and IndyCar

Do you agree with the 10 Indianapolis 500 drivers on this list? If so, do you agree with the order? Which active drivers have the best chance to move up or move into this list? Be sure not to miss the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 from Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It is set to be broadcast live on ABC starting at 11:00 am ET on Sunday, May 27th.