The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious motor sports events in the world, and its checkered flag is coveted like no other.
So much has to fall into place perfectly for a driver to win the race against the other 32 cars in the field, and one little detail or mistake can be the difference between a glorious victory or absolute heartbreak. But once a driver wins, their name is etched in IndyCar history, and they become embedded in Indy 500 lore.
When most drivers would do anything to win the Indy 500 one time, several drivers in the last 105 races have won more than once. In the last two decades, those with more than one Indy 500 win include Hélio Castroneves, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti and Takuma Sato.
Here’s a look back at every driver who has won the iconic race since 2000.
2000: Juan Pablo Montoya, Target/G Force Oldsmobile
Juan Montoya of Colombia pumps his fist after winning the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 28 May 2000 in Indianapolis, IN. 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 Lazier
2001: Hélio Castroneves, Marlboro Team Penske/Dallara/Oldsmobile
Helio Castronevevs of Brazil, winner of the 85th Indianapolis 500, walks away from his car following a meeting with the media on 28 May 2001 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. AFP PHOTO/David MAXWELL
Starting position: 11
Race speed: 141.574 mph
Runner-up: Gil de Ferran
2002: Hélio Castroneves, Marlboro Team Penske/Dallara/Chevy
Helio Castroneves of Brazil holds the traditional milk and signs with his fingers two for back-to-back victories 26 May 2002, in the 86th running of Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, IN. Castroneves becomes the first driver since Al Unser in 1971to win back-to-back titles. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES
Starting position: 13
Race speed: 166.499 mph
Runner-up: Paul Tracy
2003: Gil de Ferran, Marlboro Team Penske/G Force/Toyota
Gil de Ferran of Brazil gives a thumbs up after winning the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 25 May, 2003. Former Brazilian driver Gil de Ferran, winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500 Mile race, died on December 30, 2023, at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack at a private club in Florida, USA, the Brazilian Motorsport Confederation (CBA) said. (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: Hélio Castroneves
2004: Buddy Rice, Rahal Letterman Racing/Panoz G Force/Honda
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 30: Buddy Rice (C) driver of the #15 Argent Letterman Rahal Racing Honda G Force celebrates with team owners David Letterman (L) and Bobby Rahal (R) in a makeshift victory lane in the garage after the race was shortened on lap 180 due to rain during the IRL IndyCar Series 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 2004 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Starting position: 1
Race speed: 138.518 mph
Runner-up: Tony Kanaan
2005: Dan Wheldon, Andretti Green Racing/Dallara/Honda
5/29/2005 — The 89th running of the Indianapolis 500 race. // Race winner Dan Wheldon celebrates by pouring milk over his head after the race. ( (Photo by Adriane Jaeckle/Indy Star/USA TODAY Network)
Starting position: 16
Race speed: 157.603 mph
Runner-up: Vitor Meira
2006: Sam Hornish Jr., Marlboro Team Penske/Dallara/Honda
Sam Hornish Jr. kisses the yard of bricks after his victory. 90th Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN, May 28, 2006. (Robert Scheer/The Indianapolis Star)
Starting position: 1
Race speed: 157.085 mph
Runner-up: Marco Andretti
2007: Dario Franchitti, Andretti Green Racing/Dallara/Honda
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 28: Dario Franchitti, driver of the #27 Canadian Club Andretti Green Racing dallara honda, kisses the Borg-Warner Trophy in celebration of winning the IRL IndyCar Series 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 28, 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Darrell Ingham/Getty Images)
Starting position: 3
Race speed: 151.774 mph
Runner-up: Scott Dixon
2008: Scott Dixon, Target Chip Ganassi Racing/Dallara/Honda
Indianapolis 500 champion Scott Dixon celebrates with the traditional milk. Dixon drank the milk and then poured it over his head. Pole sitter Scott Dixon wins the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500. The 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500, Speedway, Ind., Sunday, May 25, 2008. (Matt Dial / The IndyStar)
Starting position: 1
Race speed: 143.567 mph
Runner-up: Vitor Meira
2009: Hélio Castroneves, Team Penske/Dallara/Honda
May 24, 2009; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IRL driver Helio Castroneves celebrates after winning the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Starting position: 1
Race speed: 150.318 mph
Runner-up: Dan Wheldon
2010: Dario Franchitti, Target Chip Ganassi Racing/Dallara/Honda
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 31: Dario Franchitti of Scotland, driver of the #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, poses with his wife Ashley Judd and their dogs on the yard of bricks during the 94th Indianapolis 500 Trophy Presentation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 31, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Starting position: 3
Race speed: 161.623 mph
Runner-up: Dan Wheldon
2011: Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb/Agajanian/Dallara/Honda
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 30: Dan Wheldon of England, driver of the #98 William Rast-Curb/Big Machine Dallara Honda gestures to photographers during the 95th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Trophy Presentation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Starting position: 6
Race speed: 170.265 mph
Runner-up: JR Hildebrand
2012: Dario Franchitti, Target Chip Ganassi Racing/Dallara/Honda
ORG XMIT: USPW-78002 May 27, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Dario Franchitti celebrates after winning the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Starting position: 16
Race speed: 167.734 mph
Runner-up: Scott Dixon
2013: Tony Kanaan, KV Racing Technology/Dallara/Chevrolet
May 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA: IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 12
Race speed: 187.433 mph
Runner-up: Carlos Muñoz
2014: Ryan Hunter-Reay, DHL Honda/Dallara/Honda
May 25, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay dumps the milk on his head as he celebrates after winning the 2014 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 19
Race speed: 186.563 mph
Runner-up: Hélio Castroneves
2015: Juan Pablo Montoya, Verizon Team Penske/Dallara/Chevrolet
May 24, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Juan Pablo Montoya celebrates by drinking the milk after winning the 2015 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 15
Race speed: 161.341 mph
Runner-up: Will Power
2016: Alexander Rossi, Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Curb-Agajanian/Dallara/Honda
May 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Alexander Rossi celebrates after winning the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 11
Race speed: 166.634 mph
Runner-up: Carlos Muñoz
2017: Takuma Sato, Andretti Autosport/Dallara/Honda
May 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Takuma Sato celebrates after winning the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 4
Race speed: 155.395 mph
Runner-up: Hélio Castroneves
2018: Will Power, Verizon Team Penske/Dallara/Chevrolet
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 27: Will Power of Australia, driver of the #12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet celebrates after winning the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Starting position: 3
Race speed: 166.935 mph
Runner-up: Ed Carpenter
2019: Simon Pagenaud, Verizon Team Penske/Dallara/Chevrolet
May 26, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indycar driver Simon Pagenaud (22) celebrates winning the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 1
Race speed: 175.794
Runner-up: Alexander Rossi
2020: Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing/Honda
Aug 23, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; IndyCar Series driver Takuma Sato celebrates after winning the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 3
Race speed: 157.824 mph
Runner-up: Scott Dixon
2021: Hélio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing
May 30, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; IndyCar Series driver Helio Castroneves celebrates after winning the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 8
Race speed: 190.690 mph
Runner-up: Alex Palou
2022: Marcus Ericsson, Chip Ganassi Racing
May 29, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; IndyCar Series driver Marcus Ericsson celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 5
Race speed: 175.428 mph
Runner-up: Pato O’Ward
2023: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
May 28, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates after winning the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Starting position: 17
Race speed: 168.193 mph
Runner-up: Marcus Ericsson
2024: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske
Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) drinks his milk after winning the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Starting position: 3
Race speed: 167.763 mph
Runner-up: Pato O’Ward
