Greatest IndyCar Drivers of All Time: Ranking the Top 9 Legends in Series History

IndyCar history spans more than a century of American open-wheel racing — from the Indianapolis 500’s early eras through USAC, CART and today’s IndyCar Series.

Comparing drivers across generations is never perfect, so this list weighs championships, Indianapolis 500 greatness, longevity, versatility and era-defining dominance.

1) A.J. Foyt

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The ultimate IndyCar measuring stick. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500 four times and piled up records that still read like fiction, including seven USAC National Championships in Indy cars and a win total that set a historic standard. He wasn’t just a champion — he was an era, and his name still functions like shorthand for all-time greatness.

2) Mario Andretti

Andretti’s IndyCar legacy is both achievement and aura. He won the 1969 Indianapolis 500 and captured multiple Indy car crowns, pairing elite pace with longevity and a reputation as the rare driver who could win in almost anything. In any “greatest drivers” debate — IndyCar or otherwise — Mario belongs near the top.

3) Al Unser

Al Unser combined Indianapolis excellence with championship-level depth. He’s one of the sport’s four-time Indy 500 winners and a multi-time national champion, with a résumé that translates across generations. He also led an enormous number of laps at Indianapolis, a reminder he wasn’t just sneaking wins — he was controlling races.

4) Rick Mears

“Rocket Rick” was the prototype of the modern Indy superstar: fast, clinical, and terrifyingly good at Indianapolis. Mears won the Indy 500 four times, was a qualifying ace (including a record-setting pole résumé), and added multiple season championships. His peak set the standard for what dominance in May looks like.

5) Scott Dixon

“Consistency” undersells Dixon — he’s been the gold standard of the modern era. A six-time series champion and an Indy 500 winner, Dixon has paired longevity with elite year-to-year performance, collecting wins across multiple generations of cars and competition. He’s the kind of driver who turns “top five” finishes into a career-defining weapon.

6) Dario Franchitti

Few drivers blended championships and Indy 500 wins as cleanly as Franchitti. He captured four series titles and won the Indianapolis 500 three times, delivering in both the full-season grind and the sport’s biggest single-day stage. At his best, he was relentless — smart, fast, and brutally efficient.

7) Hélio Castroneves

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Castroneves is Indianapolis mythology in motion. A four-time Indy 500 winner, he’s one of the most dangerous “May specialists” ever — except he wasn’t just a specialist; he was a long-term contender who repeatedly showed up when the stakes were highest. Add the iconic fence-climb celebration and he’s one of IndyCar’s most enduring faces.

8) Bobby Unser

Bobby Unser’s case is classic: trophies plus legend. He won the Indianapolis 500 three times and added national championships, giving him both peak moments and season-long excellence. He’s also remembered as one of the era’s toughest competitors — a driver whose edge showed up in big races and bigger debates.

9) Will Power

Power earns his spot as one of IndyCar’s modern greats because his speed translated into sustained success. He’s a two-time series champion, an Indianapolis 500 winner, and the all-time pole position leader — a rare blend of raw pace and championship-level execution. For a long stretch, if Power had clean air, the rest of the field was chasing second.

Honorable mentions (just outside the nine)

It’s a brutal cut line. Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Johnny Rutherford, Sébastien Bourdais, Al Unser Jr., and Josef Newgarden all have strong all-time cases depending on whether you prioritize wins, titles, Indy 500 performances, or peak dominance.