The 2026 INDYCAR season has wrapped up with Alex Palou securing his fifth series championship. This marks his fourth title in a row, reigniting discussions about where Palou ranks among the greatest drivers in INDYCAR history. Although he isn’t yet on the ultimate Mount Rushmore of the sport, Palou is certainly climbing the ranks.
Here are the top 10 INDYCAR drivers of all time:
Dario Franchitti
A well-known figure in the sport, Franchitti started 265 INDYCAR races, winning four championships. He accumulated 31 victories, 92 podium finishes, and 33 pole positions, along with 119 top-five results. His four titles tie him for third most all-time.Will Power
Power is a familiar name to INDYCAR fans, participating in 337 races. Over his career, he has won two championships, earned 45 wins, and holds the record for the most pole positions in INDYCAR history with 71.Al Unser Jr.
One of the sport’s legendary drivers, Unser Jr. is the winningest driver in Long Beach history, boasting six wins there over eight years. He also captured two Indianapolis 500 victories during his distinguished career.Michael Andretti
Beyond his achievements as a driver, Andretti is also a respected team owner. He recorded 42 wins and 32 poles during his driving days, with his standout year being 1991 when he won the championship with eight race wins and eight poles from 17 starts.Alex Palou
Palou jumped ahead of Johnny Rutherford on this list after previously being ranked 10th. With five INDYCAR championships (third most in history) and a 2025 Indy 500 victory, he now stands at sixth. While he has 25 wins, some argue this keeps him lower, but his string of titles and recent Indy 500 success firmly establish his legacy.Rick Mears
Mears’ remarkable legacy includes four Indianapolis 500 wins, joining an elite group of drivers to achieve this. Between 1978 and 1992, he secured six poles and started on the front row 11 times in 15 Indy 500 races. He also became the first INDYCAR driver to earn $10 million in career earnings in 1991 and won three series championships.Al Unser Sr.
Like Mears, Unser Sr. also won the Indy 500 four times, a feat only matched once before him. He finished in the top three at the Indy 500 11 times, amassing $6.7 million in career prize money, with over half coming from Indy 500 earnings.Scott Dixon
Dixon has enjoyed immense success throughout his career, capturing six championships and 59 wins—the most among active drivers and second all-time. After 25 seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, he will move to Arrow McLaren next season. Dixon also leads current drivers with 437 starts and holds the all-time podium record with 146 finishes.AJ Foyt
Currently a team owner, Foyt’s driving career is storied, holding the all-time record with seven INDYCAR championships. He was the first to win the Indianapolis 500 four times and is uniquely noted for winning the Indy 500 in both front- and rear-engined cars, highlighting his exceptional adaptability.Mario Andretti
Considered the most iconic figure in INDYCAR history, Andretti secured four championships, 52 wins, 67 poles, and 141 podiums during his career. He won Driver of the Year honors across three decades (1967, 1978, 1984) and remains the only driver to win the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, and a Formula One World Championship.
Fan Take:
This ranking reveals how the sport’s legends continue to shape INDYCAR’s rich history, with Alex Palou’s rise signaling an exciting future. For NASCAR fans, Palou’s dominance might spark curiosity about cross-series talents and could usher in new driver rivalries that boost interest in all forms of American motorsport.
Source: www.foxsports.com
