The 2026 INDYCAR season is over and Alex Palou has caught his fifth series championship.
The fifth title – which is also his fourth in a row – keeps alive the debate about where Alex Palou sits among the sport’s greats.
If you’ve been following along, then you already know this he is not on my Mount Rushmore. But he is moving up.
Here are the top 10 INDYCAR drivers of all time.
Top 10 INDYCAR Drivers of All Time
10. Dario Franchitti
Dario Franchitti after winning the Indy 500 in 2007.
One of the most recognizable names on the roster, Franchitti made 265 INDYCAR starts and collected four championships in the process. He claimed 31 victories, claimed 92 podiums and 33 poles during that period. Additionally, he had 119 top-five finishes and is currently tied for third for most all-time championships.
9. Willpower
Will Power is a household name in INDYCAR.
With 337 starts under his belt, Power is a household name among INDYCAR followers. In that time, Powers has won two championships with 45 race wins overall. He has also won an impressive 71 poles. Those 71 poles are the most in INDYCAR history, making him one of the best drivers in the history of the sport.
8. Al Unser Jr.
Al Unser Jr. is one of the sport’s most popular drivers.
One of the most famous drivers ever, he is the winningest driver in Long Beach history with six wins over eight years. Unser also claimed two Indy 500 wins in his decorated career.
7. Michael Andretti
Michael Andretti has succeeded as a driver and as an owner.
Andretti is one of the most accomplished drivers, continuing to own Andretti Autosport to this day. During his racing career, he earned 42 INDYCAR victories and dominated with 32 poles. His most successful year came in 1991, when he won the championship, had eight race wins and eight poles in just 17 total races.
6. Alex Palou
Alex Palou won his first Indy 500 in 2025.
Alex Palou knocked Johnny Rutherford off this list after last year when I ranked him 10th. Now that he has five INDYCAR titles (third on the all-time list), he’s up to sixth. Palou has “only” 25 career wins, which – according to some people – should keep him down. However, five titles (including four in a row) and an Indianapolis 500 victory in 2025 have cemented his legacy in the sport. At the start of this season I ranked him 10th.
5. Rick Mears
Rick Mears’ legend includes four Indy 500 victories.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Mears’ career was the fact that he won the Indy 500 four separate times, becoming one of only four racers to achieve such a feat. He was also able to capture six poles and was a front-row starter in 11 of his 15 races there from 1978 to 1992. Mears was also able to cash in when, in 1991, he became the first driver to earn $10 million in career earnings from INDYCAR racing. He won three INDYCAR titles.
4. All our Lord.
Al Unser Sr. also has four Indy 500 wins under his hood.
Similar to Mears, Unser also won the Indy 500 four different times. When he reached the milestone, it had only been done one more time. His triumph there, however, was not all about victories. He finished in the top three of the Indy 500 in 11 different races during his career. When his career ended, Unser had earned $6.7 million, with more than half of that money coming from Indy 500 races.
3. Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon has won six INDYCAR championships during his successful career.
Dixon has been extremely successful in every race. Overall, he is a six-time INDYCAR champion and has amassed 59 career victories, the most of any active driver and the second most of all time. Last season was his 25th and final drive for Chip Ganassi Racing. He has been the longest-serving driver in the team’s history, but he will move to Arrow McLaren next season. He leads all current drivers with 437 starts and holds the all-time podium record with 146.
2. AJ Foyt
AJ Foyt is appreciated for his ability to adapt to different cars.
Now a team owner for AJ Foyt Racing, Foyt built a very productive career. He won seven INDYCAR championships during his time behind the wheel, which remains the all-time record. Additionally, he had a great run during his Indy 500 debut, becoming the first to win the Greatest Show in Racing four times. Even more evident was his ability to adapt. Foyt is still the only driver to win the Indy 500 in both front and rear engine cars, a testament to his immense talent.
1. Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti’s legacy as a racer transcends INDYCAR.
It’s safe to say that Andretti is the most popular driver in the history of the sport. His success was a big reason why, with the veteran driver winning four championships, 52 races, earning 67 pole positions and 141 podiums during his INDYCAR run. His longevity was also remarkable, winning Driver of the Year three different times, each in a different decade (1967, 1978, 1984). To date, he is the only driver to have won a world title in the Daytona 500, Indy 500 and Formula 1.
