Indianapolis, Indiana – The countdown to one of the world’s most iconic motorsport events has begun. On May 13, engines roared to life at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as practice officially began for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. This year’s event promises a blend of history, competition, and drama, with eight former winners and five past INDYCAR SERIES champions joining a star-studded field of 34 entries battling for 33 coveted starting spots.
At the center of attention is Josef Newgarden, who stunned the racing world last May by making a final-lap pass on Pato O’Ward to clinch his second career “500” victory. That move etched his name into the record books as one of only six drivers to win the race in back-to-back years. Newgarden now finds himself chasing history once more — no driver has ever won the Indianapolis 500 three years in a row.
“Winning the 500 back-to-back is a huge accomplishment,” Newgarden said earlier this season. “But doing it three times in a row? That’s uncharted territory.”
Joining Newgarden in the ranks of past winners are legendary names like Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Will Power, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Takuma Sato, Alexander Rossi, and Marcus Ericsson. Together, these drivers carry a combined 11 wins at the famed 2.5-mile oval. Castroneves leads the group with four victories (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021) and is attempting not only to break the tie with fellow four-time winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Rick Mears, but also to become the oldest winner in the race’s storied history. At 50 years old, a victory in 2025 would put him past Unser’s age record from 1987.
“Every time I’m here, I feel like it could be the one,” Castroneves said. “This place has given me so much, and I’m still chasing more.”
In addition to its past winners, this year’s field also features five INDYCAR SERIES champions: Newgarden, Dixon, Power, Hunter-Reay, and the two-time reigning champion Alex Palou. Their presence adds depth to an already elite lineup.
Adding even more intrigue is the presence of Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who is making his second attempt at the grueling Memorial Day weekend “double.” He aims to complete both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day — a feat accomplished by only four other drivers: John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, and Kurt Busch. Last year, Larson impressed fans by qualifying fifth and finishing 18th at Indy, earning Rookie of the Year honors. Unfortunately, weather cut short his NASCAR effort, but he’s back with unfinished business in 2025.
Four rookies — Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, Nolan Siegel, and Robert Shwartzman — will vie for the coveted Rookie of the Year title. Each brings a fresh storyline to the month of May, eager to carve their own path on the sport’s biggest stage.
The month’s festivities will intensify on May 17-18 with PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying, as drivers look to lock themselves into the grid for Race Day. With 34 entries and only 33 starting positions, one driver will be heartbreakingly bumped from the field — a time-honored and brutal element of Indy’s racing tradition.
Race Day itself, set for Sunday, May 25, will once again draw millions of fans from around the globe. Coverage kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network, with the green flag scheduled to wave at 12:45 p.m.
The 2025 field boasts a wide international flavor, with drivers from 13 different countries. Of the 34 entries, 15 are American and 19 hail from international backgrounds. Notably, Chevrolet will power 18 cars, while Honda will support 16, with every machine built on a Dallara chassis and rolling on Firestone tires.
This year’s edition is shaping up to be a dynamic mix of experience and youth, of champions and challengers, and of familiar names and newcomers. It’s a balance that speaks to the enduring legacy of the Indianapolis 500 — where legends are made and history is always within reach.
For fans, it’s a month full of suspense, from the tension of qualifying weekend to the pageantry and adrenaline of race day. As the days tick down to May 25, all eyes will be on the Speedway to see who will drink the milk, kiss the bricks, and earn a place in the racing annals of the Indianapolis 500.
With eight past winners, five former champions, and a new wave of hungry talent on deck, the 2025 edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” could be one of the most competitive and emotional in years. The track is open, the speeds are rising, and the chase for racing immortality has officially begun.
