How Many Indianapolis 500 Champions Can You Name from a Photo?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Many Indianapolis 500 Champions Can You Name from a Photo?
Image: By The359, from Wikimedia Commons

About This Quiz

Since the motor car was invented, man has wanted to race them. 

In fact, the first race ever held was in Connecticut in 1899. 

The first race at the Indianapolis Speedway was run in 1911. And it has been ever since, except from 1942 to 1945 where World War II stopped any chance of the Indy 500 occurring. 

"The Brickyard" as the track is affectionately known is a world racing institution. Of that, there is no doubt. And yes, the track surface was originally made from bricks. It was resurfaced in the early '50s and only then a small portion of the original bricks remained.

As Indy has some incredible history, it has also seen some of the greatest races and racing drivers ever to hold a steering wheel. And not only Americans. Drivers have come from all over the world to try their hand at winning the 500. Some have succeeded, including those from Formula One, and some have failed. 

But would you be able to identify some of the winners that have graced Victory Lane at the Indy 500 and tasted the sweet milk after their victory?

A single image is all you will have to identify them. Some are easy, and of course, those from a time long gone will test you.

Good luck!

Takuma Sato
By Wolkenjaeger, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
A seasoned F1 campaigner, Takuma Sator joined the Indycar racing circuit in 2010. He won the Indy 500 on his 8th attempt in 2017, finishing 1st after starting in 4th. He was the first Japanese driver to win the famed race.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Al Unser
Dario Franchitti
Juan Pablo Montoya
By Vasiliy Meshko, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya has won the Indy 500 on two occasions. His first victory came in 2000 and this second, and last, in 2015. He holds the Indy 500 record for the most years between victories (15).
Al Unser
Dario Franchitti
Al Unser
By Carey Akin from Manvel, Texas, USA (DSC_0116, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
Juan Pablo Montoya
Al Unser
A four-time Indy 500 winner, Al Unser won at the Brickyard across two decades in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. Incredibly, he raced for 28 years.
Dario Franchitti

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Dario Franchitti
By Emetsger, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
Juan Pablo Montoya
Al Unser
Dario Franchitti
Dario Franchitti, who hails from Scotland, is a multiple IndyCar series and won the Indianapolis 500 on three occasions. His first IndyCar series victory came in 2007, after which Franchetti recorded a hat-trick of wins in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He savored victory at Indianapolis in 2007, 2010 and 2012.
Tony Kanaan
By Manningmbd, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Tony Kanaan
An IndyCar series champion in 2004, Tony Kanaan has won the Indianapolis 500 in 2013. He has also finished 2nd in 2004 and 3rd in 2003 and 2012.
Al Unser
Dario Franchitti
Juan Pablo Montoya
Dan Wheldon
By Greg Hildebrand from Plymouth, IN (2011 Indy 500874), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
Tony Kanaan
Al Unser
Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon was a two-time winner of the Indy 500, tasting glory in 2005 and 2011. He also had three podium finishes - two 2nd places in 2009 and 2010 and a 3rd place in 2004. Sadly, Wheldon was killed in a 15-car crash at the Las Vegas International Speedway on 16 October, 2011.

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Scott Dixon
By Sarah Stierch, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Dan Wheldon
Takuma Sato
Scott Dixon
New Zealand-born Scott Dixon has won the IndyCar series on no less than four occasions (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015). He has also triumphed at the Indy 500 in 2008 and led for over 100 laps.
Dario Franchitti
Helio Castroneves
By Rdikeman, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Scott Dixon
Helio Castroneves
Hailing from Brazil, Helio Castroneves is a three-time Indy 500 champion. He first won in 2001 and followed that up with a second victory in 2002. He claimed his third victory in 2009. He also has finished on the podium at the Indy 500 on four occasions.
Dan Wheldon
Al Unser
Jacques Villeneuve
By Freewheeling Daredevil (Flickr), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Helio Castroneves
Jacques Villeneuve
Son of legendary Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques won the 1995 Indy 500 despite having to serve a penalty for passing the pace car. He also won the CART series that year and went on to be a Formula One world champion in 1997.
Al Unser
Scott Dixon

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Emerson Fittipaldi
By Mutari, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Emerson Fittipaldi
A two-time Formula One champion, Emerson Fittipaldi won the 1993 Indy 500 at the age of 46 beating out race favorite Nigel Mansell. It was not the first time Fittipaldi had triumphed at the Brickyard, as he had won the race just four years earlier, in 1989.
Jacques Villeneuve
Dario Franchetti
Scott Dixon
A.J. Foyt
By SarahStierch, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Emerson Fittipaldi
A.J. Foyt
A.J. Foyt is nothing short of a racing god. Foyt is the only driver to have won the Le Mans 24 Hour, Daytona 500, Daytona 24 Hour and the Indy 500. He is also one of only three men to have won at the Brickyard on four occasions (1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977). He raced 25 times at Indy.
Takuma Sato
Helio Castroneves
Mario Andretti
By Stuart Seeger (https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuseeger/202557320/), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
A.J. Foyt
Scott Dixon
Mario Andretti
The Andretti name is synonymous with open cockpit racing in the United States. Although Mario Andretti won at the Brickyard in 1969, many believe he should have had many other victories in his 29 attempts.
Juan Pablo Montoya

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Parnelli Jones
indycar via youtube
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Mario Andretti
Tony Kanaan
Al Unser
Parnelli Jones
After coming close to victory in 1962, Parnelli Jones made sure the following year, taking the '63 Indy 500 from Jim Clark.
Ray Harroun
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Parnelli Jones
Emerson Fittipaldi
Dan Wheldon
Ray Harroun
Ray Harroun has the distinction of being the first winner at the Brickyard. In 1911, driving a Marmon 'Wasp'. He also effectively invented the rear-view mirror for the race, making him even more of a pioneer!
Gaston Chevrolet
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Ray Harroun
Gaston Chevrolet
Gaston Chevrolet was the younger brother of the founder of the iconic automaker. In 1920, starting in 6th position, he went on to win the Indy 500.
Al Unser
Juan Pablo Montoya

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Gordon Johncock
indycar via youtube
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
Gordon Johncock
Gordon Johncock raced 26 times at the Indy 500, with his first race in 1965 and his last in 1992. During that time he secured two 3rd place finishes (1976 and 1978) to go with his two wins, the first in 1973 and the second in 1982. His second victory was by a mere 0.160 seconds over Indy legend, Rick Mears.
Jim Clark
Juan Pablo Montoya
Eddie Cheever Jr.
By Manningmbd, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Gordon Johncock
Eddie Cheever Jr.
A former Formula One racing driver, Eddie Cheever claimed an Indy 500 win driving for his own team in 1998.
Al Unser
Dan Wheldon
Arie Luyendyk
By Manningmbd via Commons Wikimedia
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Arie Luyendyk
Dutch-born Arie Luyendyk won the Indy 500 on two occasions. His first victory came in 1990 and he followed that up again in 1997 which came in controversial circumstances after the race actually ended on a Tuesday.
Al Unser
Scott Dixon
Eddie Cheever Jr.

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Buddy Rice
User:Twohlford, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Jacques Villeneuve
Arie Luyendyk
A.J. Foyt
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice won one of the most dramatic Indy 500s of all time in 2004. In an event held in terrible weather, Rice came home first to victory lane when a massive thunderstorm brought an end to the spectacle. A tornado also landed near the track afterward, with many of the spectators still on site.
Rodger Ward
PeriscopeFilm via Youtube
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Buddy Rice
Scott Dixon
Mario Andretti
Rodger Ward
By the time his first win rolled around in 1959, Roger Ward had already raced at the Indy 500 on eight occasions. He went on to win again in 1962 as well as record podium finishes in '60, '61 and '64.
Sam Hanks
cjs83172 via youtube
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Takuma Sato
Rodger Ward
Sam Hanks
In 1957, Sam Hanks finally won a coveted Indy 500 after 12 attempts. There and then in victory lane, he announced his retirement. Always go out on top, that's what I say!
Al Unser

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Buddy Lazier
By Manningmbd, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Rick Mears
Buddy Lazier
Buddy Lazier won the 1996 Indy 500 but his win will always remembered for the lack of quality in the field. A dispute with Indianapolis owner Tony George saw many of the top drivers racing in a CART series race in Michigan on the same day, severely watering down the field. Be that as it may, Lazier's name remains etched in history.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Al Unser
Gil de Ferran
By Manningmbd, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran won the Indy 500 in his final season in 2003, at the same time handing his team mate, Helio Castroneves a hat-trick of titles, something that had never been achieved before at the famous race.
Buddy Lazier
Mario Andretti
Gaston Chevrolet
Tom Sneva
By Ted Van Pelt, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Dan Wheldon
Gil de Ferran
Tom Sneva
No one would deny Tom Sneva an Indy 500 win after three 2nd place finishes in his career. He finally topped the podium in 1983.
A.J. Foyt

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Graham Hill
By Lothar Spurzem, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Graham Hill
A Formula One champion on two occasions, Graham Hill tried his hand at winning the Indy 500 as well ... and succeeded. He did so with his first attempt as well, finishing on top of the podium in 1966 after fellow Brit Jacky Stewart's engine had failed.
Tom Sneva
Takuma Sato
Scott Dixon
Mauri Rose
AJ1964 via youtube
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Al Unser
Graham Hill
Tony Kanaan
Mauri Rose
A triple winner at the Brickyard, Rose claimed the Indy 500 in 1941, 1947 and 1948 and not always without controversy. In 1941, after his own car had failed, Rose took over another driver's car to victory while in 1947, his team-mate waved him through thinking he had a lap's lead over Rose. He didn't.
Pat Flaherty
Indianapolis Motor Speedway via youtube
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Ray Harroun
Mauri Rose
Sam Hanks
Pat Flaherty
In 1956, Pat Flaherty took victory on the newly resurfaced Brickyard where only a few of the bricks from the original track now remained. It was his only Indy 500 win in six attempts.

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Bobby Rahal
By Legends Of Motorsports (FriDriverMeeting09Uploaded by Spyder_Monkey), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Pat Flaherty
Bobby Rahal
A three time IndyCar series champion, Bobby Rahal only won once at the Brickyard - in 1986. This was the first Indy 500 to be completed in under three hours.
Mario Andretti
Rodger Ward
Wilbur_Shaw_(Estados_Unidos)._-_El_Gráfico_1092
By El Gráfico [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Bobby Rahal
Wilbur Shaw
Wilbur Shaw raced the Indy 500 on 13 occasions, claiming 3 wins in 1937, 1939 and 1940. He went onto become president of the Indianapolis Speedway from 1945 to his death in 1954.
Jim Clarke
Graham Hill
Danny Sullivan
By Stuart Seeger from College Station, Texas, USA (Danny Sullivan), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Wilbur Shaw
A.J. Foyt
Al Unser
Danny Sullivan
Danny Sullivan won the 1985 Indy 500 driving for Team Penske. Although he tried on another nine occasions after that, he could not finish higher than 5th.

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Mark Donohue
By Gillfoto, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Danny Sullivan
Tony Kanaan
Mark Donohue
Mark Donohue secured his only Indy 500 win in 1972 when he raced to victory for Team Penske. Sadly, he died in as a result of injuries sustained in an accident while practising for the 1975 Austrian Formula One grand prix.
Gaston Chevrolet
Bobby Unser
By SarahStierch, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Bobby Unser
A three-time Indy 500 winner, Bobby Unser won the prestigious race in three different decades - 1968, 1975 and 1981. His 1981 triumph, however, had to be concluded in the boardroom after Unser was stripped of his win for passing cars illegally while exiting the pits. His team appealed and Unser was eventually reinstated.
Mark Donohue
Mario Andretti
Scott Dixon
Kenny Brack
By PSParrot (Flickr), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Juan Pablo Montoya
Bobby Unser
Takuma Sato
Kenny Brack
After Robbie Gordon ran out of fuel on the last lap, Kenny Brack claimed the Indy 500 in 1999 driving an Oldsmobile for team owner A.J. Foyt.

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Sam Hornish Jr.
By Nascarking, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Buddy Rice
Sam Hornish Jr
Now racing in NASCAR, Sam Hornish Jr is a three-time IndyCar series champion, landing the title in 2001, 2002 and 2006. During his final championship win in 2006, he also raced to victory at the Indy 500 recording the second closest win of all time. He also finished 2nd in the race in 2005.
Kenny Brack
Gil de Ferran
Ryan Hunter-Reay
By Manningmbd, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
A.J. Foyt
Sam Hornish Jr
Ryan Hunter-Reay
After winning the IndyCar series in 2012, Ryan Hunter-Reay added an Indianapolis 500 win in 2014. Starting from 14th on the grid, Hunter-Reay managed to get into 1st position and savor the milk in victory lane. It was his 8th time at the circuit.
Tony Kanaan
Alexander Rossi
By Alexander Rossi from California, USA (Formula One World Championship), via Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Takuma Sato
Gaston Chevrolet
Alexander Rossi
After stints in a range of racing series around the world, including Formula One, Alexander Rossi joined the IndyCar series in 2016. Incredibly, Rossi won the Indy 500 in his debut season after starting 11th on the grid.

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Al Unser Jr
By Manningmbd, from Wikimedia Commons
Which Indy 500 champion is shown in this image?
Alexander Rossi
Al Unser Jr
Al Unser Jr tasted sweet victory milk at the Indianapolis Speedway on two occasions, claiming the Indy 500 in 1992 and 1994. His first win was the most exciting with a mere 0.043 seconds separating him and Scott Goodyear, the closest finish in Indy history.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Tom Sneva
You Got:
/37
By The359, from Wikimedia Commons