The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world, and its checkered flag is more popular than any other race.
So many things have to fall into place perfectly for a driver to win a race against 32 other cars, and the slightest detail or mistake can mean the difference between a glorious victory or total heartbreak. But once a driver wins, their name is etched in IndyCar history and Indy 500 lore.
While most drivers would do anything to win the Indy 500 once, some have won it multiple times in the past 105 races. Drivers with multiple Indy 500 wins in the past 20 years include Helio Castroneves, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti and Takuma Sato.
Let’s take a look back at every driver who has won this iconic race since 2000.
Colombia’s Juan Montoya pumps his fist after winning the Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 28, 2000. Montoya is the first rookie to win the race since 1966. AFP PHOTO/John Maxwell
Starting position: 2
Race Speed: 167.607 mph
Runner-up: Buddy Lazer
Helio Castronevejus of Brazil, winner of the 85th Indianapolis 500, exits his car after speaking with the media at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 28, 2001. AFP PHOTO/David MAXWELL
Starting position: 11
Race Speed: 141.574 mph
Runner-up: Gil de Ferran
Helio Castroneves of Brazil holds a traditional milk bottle and makes the two-finger sign in celebration of consecutive wins during the 86th Indy 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 26, 2002. Castroneves became the first driver to win consecutive titles since Al Unser in 1971. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES
Starting position: 13
Race Speed: 166.499 mph
Runner-up: Paul Tracy
Brazil’s Gil de Ferran gives a thumbs up after winning the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, 2003. Former Brazilian driver Gil de Ferran, winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500, died on December 30, 2023, aged 56, after suffering a heart attack at a private club in Florida, US, according to the Brazilian Motorsport Confederation (CBA). (Photo by Ann Miller-Carr/AFP) (Photo by Ann Miller-Carr/AFP via Getty Images)
Starting position: 10
Race Speed: 156.291 mph
Runner-up: Helio Castroneves
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 30: Buddy Rice (center), driver of the #15 Argent Letterman Rahal Racing Honda G-Force, celebrates his victory with team owners David Letterman (left) and Bobby Rahal (right) in an impromptu victory lane in his garage after the race was shortened at lap 180 due to rain during the 88th Indianapolis 500 IRL IndyCar Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 30, 2004. (Photo by Jonathan Ferry/Getty Images)
Starting position: 1
Race Speed: 138.518 mph
Runner-up: Tony Kanaan
May 29, 2005 — The 89th Indianapolis 500. // Race winner Dan Wheldon celebrates his victory by pouring milk over his head after the race. ( (Photo by Adrian Jackle/Indy Star/USA TODAY Network)
Starting position: 16
Race Speed: 157.603 mph
Runner-up: Vitor Meira
Sam Hornish Jr. kisses the brick yard after winning the 90th Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana, May 28, 2006. (Robert Scheer/Indianapolis Star)
Starting position: 1
Race Speed: 157.085 mph
Runner-up: Marco Andretti
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 28: Dario Franchitti, driver of the #27 Canadian Club Andretti Green Racing Dallara Honda, kisses the Borg-Warner Trophy as he celebrates his victory during the IRL IndyCar Series’ 91st Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 28, 2007. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)
Starting position: 3
Race speed: 151.774 mph
Runner-up: Scott Dixon
Indianapolis 500 champion Scott Dixon celebrates his victory with the traditional glass of milk. Dixon drinks the milk and pours it over his head. Pole-sitter Scott Dixon wins the 92nd Indianapolis 500 at Speedway, Indiana, Sunday, May 25, 2008. (Matt Dial / The IndyStar)
Starting position: 1
Race Speed: 143.567 mph
Runner-up: Vitor Meira
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 24, 2009 – IRL driver Helio Castroneves celebrates after winning the 93rd Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Starting position: 1
Race Speed: 150.318 mph
Runner-up: Dan Wheldon
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 31: Dario Franchitti of Scotland, driver of the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, poses with his wife Ashley Judd and their dogs in the brick yard during the trophy ceremony for the 94th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 31, 2010. (Photo by Jonathan Ferry/Getty Images)
Starting position: 3
Race Speed: 161.623 mph
Runner-up: Dan Wheldon
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 30: Dan Wheldon of Great Britain, driver of the #98 William Rust Curb/Big Machine Dallara Honda, gestures towards photographers during the trophy presentation ceremony for the 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 30, 2011. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Starting position: 6
Race Speed: 170.265 mph
Runner-up: JR Hildebrand
ORG XMIT: USPW-78002 IndyCar Series driver Dario Franchitti celebrates after winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 27, 2012. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Starting position: 16
Race Speed: 167.734 mph
Runner-up: Scott Dixon
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA – May 26, 2013: IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 12
Race Speed: 187.433 mph
Runner-up: Carlos Munoz
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 25, 2014. IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay celebrates by pouring milk on his head after winning the 2014 Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 19
Race Speed: 186.563 mph
Runner-up: Helio Castroneves
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 24, 2015. IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya celebrates his victory by drinking milk after winning the 2015 Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 15
Race Speed: 161.341 mph
Runner-up: Will Power
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 29, 2016. IndyCar Series driver Alexander Rossi celebrates after winning the 100th Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 11
Race Speed: 166.634 mph
Runner-up: Carlos Munoz
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 28, 2017. IndyCar Series driver Takuma Sato celebrates after winning the 101st Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 4
Race Speed: 155.395 mph
Runner-up: Helio Castroneves
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 27: Australian Will Power, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the 102nd Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 27, 2018. (Photo by Chris Greisen/Getty Images)
Starting position: 3
Race Speed: 166.935 mph
Runner-up: Ed Carpenter
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 26, 2019. IndyCar driver Simon Pagenaud (22) celebrates his win during the 103rd Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 1
Race speed: 175.794
Runner-up: Alexander Rossi
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 23, 2020. IndyCar Series driver Takuma Sato celebrates after winning the 104th Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 3
Race Speed: 157.824 mph
Runner-up: Scott Dixon
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 30, 2021. IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves celebrates after winning the 105th Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 8
Race Speed: 190.690 mph
Runner-up: Alex Palou
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, May 29, 2022. IndyCar Series driver Marcus Ericsson celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 5
Race Speed: 175.428 mph
Runner-up: Pat O’Ward
Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates after winning the 107th Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Credit: Mark Levrick – USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 17
Race Speed: 168.193 mph
Runner-up: Marcus Ericsson
Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) drinks milk after winning the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Starting position: 3
Race Speed: 167.763 mph
Runner-up: Pat O’Ward
