The 110th Indianapolis 500, presented by Gainbridge, will take place on May 24, 2026, at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This year, the event features a compelling lineup of talented drivers and noteworthy records.
Key Highlights from the 2026 Indianapolis 500
Alex Palou has secured the pole position for the race, marking his second time achieving this feat. Previously, he claimed the pole in 2023, also representing Chip Ganassi Racing. With this victory, Palou becomes the only Spanish driver to win the Indianapolis 500 pole.
Historical Highlights
- Palou drives car No. 10, which has won the pole four times.
- Chip Ganassi Racing achieved its ninth Indianapolis 500 pole since 1993.
- Team Penske holds the record with 19 poles in Indianapolis 500 history.
Teams and Drivers
The starting grid for this year’s race boasts six teams represented in the top two rows:
- Chip Ganassi Racing (Alex Palou)
- ECR (Alexander Rossi)
- Team Penske (David Malukas)
- Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian (Felix Rosenqvist)
- A.J. Foyt Enterprises (Santino Ferrucci)
- Arrow McLaren (Pato O’Ward)
Past Winners in the Field
This year’s competition includes nine previous Indianapolis 500 champions, bringing a wealth of experience. Here’s the list:
- Helio Castroneves: 2001, 2002, 2009, 2021
- Scott Dixon: 2008
- Ryan Hunter-Reay: 2014
- Alexander Rossi: 2016
- Takuma Sato: 2017, 2020
- Will Power: 2018
- Marcus Ericsson: 2022
- Josef Newgarden: 2023, 2024
- Alex Palou: 2025
These drivers collectively hold 14 Indianapolis 500 victories. The historical peak for past winners in a single field was 10, recorded in 1992.
Rookies and Experience
Four rookies will make their debut in the race:
- Mick Schumacher (27th)
- Dennis Hauger (29th)
- Jacob Abel (30th)
- Caio Collet (32nd)
Helio Castroneves, with 25 starts, is the most experienced driver in the field. Scott Dixon leads the race with 677 career laps led, followed by Castroneves (326) and Hunter-Reay (219).
The youngest driver is Nolan Siegel at 21 years and 196 days, while Castroneves is the oldest at 51 years and 14 days. Notably, Castroneves is one of 15 drivers aged 50 or older in Indianapolis 500 history.
Notable Facts
This year’s field has a combined 256 Indianapolis 500 starts. The record is 260 from the races in 1987 and 1992.
Experience levels vary among the rows, with Row 5 showcasing the most at 49 career starts. In contrast, Row 9 has only eight combined starts, highlighting the exciting mix of experience and youth in this year’s lineup.
With a rich history and thrilling prospects, the 2026 Indianapolis 500 promises to be an unforgettable race. Fans can expect significant excitement as past champions and newcomers take to the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
