The Indy 500 is the most prestigious event on the racing calendar each year — and its prize money is rising to a prestigious paycheck. Here’s everything you need to know about how much money Indy 500 winners earn:
How much money did last year’s Indy 500 winner earn?
Last year’s Indy 500 winner, Alex Palou, won $3.833 million of a record $20.283 million purse. That was down 11% from Josef Newgarden’s record $4.288 million in 2024, which included a $440,000 rollover bonus from BorgWarner as a repeat winner.
What is the biggest grand prize in Indy 500 history?
Helio Castroneves set the record in 2009 at $3.048 million that lasted until Marcus Ericsson won $3.1 million in 2022. Newgarden has surpassed that total twice, including $4.288 million last year. Palou’s $3.833 million is the second largest in history.
What determines the Indy 500 purse?
Sponsors and television networks contribute to the purse. Sanctioning body fees also contribute to the purse. The purse has set a record each of the last four years from $16 million in 2022, to $17.0215 million in 2023 to $18.456 million in 2024. to $20.283 million in 2025.
How is the purse divided among drivers?
Where a driver finishes isn’t the only factor in determining how much money they take home. The winner of the pole position takes home a large amount, and drivers earn money for the number of laps they lead.
Does every driver earn money?
Since 1924, every driver in the field has taken home a check. But that doesn’t mean every driver is coming out on top — far from it. The expenses to field an entry — at least $1 million for an established team, and $2 million for a team starting from scratch — almost always surpasses the amount of money a driver wins. Conor Daly told the IndyStar in 2018 that it would take a top-five finish for him to come out with a net gain.
“That’s something you start to think about,” he said.
How much money will the 2026 Indy 500 winner earn?
The purse, which comes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is not announced until after the race.
Follow IndyStar trending sports reporter Matthew VanTryon on Twitter @MVanTryon and email him story ideas at matthew.vantryon@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How much money does the Indy 500 winner win? What’s the total amount of prize money?
Reporting by Nat Newell and Matthew VanTryon, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
