Indy 500: These drivers have won two consecutive editions

Álex Palou secured pole position for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 17. He arrives this weekend as the reigning champion of the Indiana classic, and if he manages to win on Sunday, the Spaniard will join a list of only six drivers in history to have won two consecutive editions.

Wilbur Shaw — 1939-1940

Wilbur Shaw was the first driver to win the Indy 500 two years in a row, in 1939 and 1940. These two consecutive victories were part of an even more remarkable streak: the American had also triumphed in 1937, making him the second three-time winner of the race after Louis Meyer (1928, 1933, 1936). In 1940, he started from second position and dominated the race, leading 136 of the 200 laps. Rain arrived in the final 100 miles, but the race was not stopped—it was run under a caution flag, allowing the previous year's winner to manage his advantage and cross the finish line ahead of Rex Mays and Mauri Rose.

He had convinced Chicago industrialist Mike Boyle to sponsor a Maserati modified specifically for the oval, with all the components shifted to the left—a decisive advantage on the counter-clockwise Indianapolis circuit. In 1941, Wilbur Shaw was on his way to a third consecutive victory—a record he alone would hold to this day—when a wheel broke while he was leading on lap 152.

This was his final participation in the race, but after his racing career, he remained closely connected to the circuit. It was he who, upon discovering the Speedway's dilapidated state during World War II, convinced businessman Tony Hulman to buy and renovate it. As a reward, Wilbur Shaw was appointed president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a position he held until his death in a plane crash in 1954, playing a decisive role in restoring the Indy 500's reputation as the world's greatest open-wheel race.

Mauri Rose — 1947-1948

Mauri Rose is one of the most unusual figures in Indianapolis history. An engineer by training, he worked at the Allison factory near the track and sometimes left his office at lunchtime to practice before returning to work in the afternoon. The American driver won the 1947 and 1948 editions at the wheel of a car owned by Lou Moore, which he managed perfectly from start to finish in both races.

In 1947, he capitalized on a tactical error by his teammate Bill Holland—who eased off the pace believing he had a sufficient lead—to snatch victory in the final laps. In 1948, the scenario repeated itself: the two teammates again finished first and second, but this time without controversy, with Mauri Rose taking a commanding win. This second consecutive victory made him the third three-time winner of the race, after Meyer and Shaw.

Bill Vukovich — 1953-1954

Bill Vukovich embodies the very definition of dominance. In 1953, at the "Hottest 500"—the hottest race in Indianapolis history with track temperatures exceeding 54°C (139°F)—he secured pole position and led 195 of the 200 laps, crossing the finish line more than three minutes ahead of his teammate Art Cross in second place. Many drivers had to hand over their cars to substitutes in the sweltering heat; but the American completed the 500 miles alone, unperturbed.

In 1954, he qualified in a disappointing 19th place but took the lead on lap 61 and led the final 90 laps to win again, this time by more than a minute over Jimmy Bryan. Tragedy struck in 1955: while leading again and seemingly on course for a third consecutive victory, he was involved in an accident on lap 57. While trying to avoid a pile-up involving Rodger Ward, Al Keller, and Johnny Boyd, the car The latter's car crashed into the leader's. The car then rolled over and came to a stop in flames; Bill Vukovich died from his injuries.

Al Unser — 1970-1971

Al Unser is one of the most renowned drivers on the circuit. In 1970, he won with a Colt-Ford entered by Parnelli Jones Racing, dominating a race marked by retirements from his main rivals. In 1971, he repeated the feat with another Colt-Ford from the same team, delivering an equally dominant performance. These two victories were part of a monumental career at Indianapolis—four wins in total in 1970, 1971, 1978, and 1987, making Unser one of only four drivers to have won the race four times, alongside Foyt, Mears, and Castroneves.

He is also the second-most lap-led driver in the Indy 500 with 644 laps, behind Scott Dixon with 677 — to date. Al Unser is also the third-most Indianapolis 500-started driver with 27 races, behind Mario Andretti (29) and AJ Foyt (35).

Helio Castroneves — 2001-2002

In 2001, Helio Castroneves secured his first Indianapolis victory, finishing 1,74 seconds ahead of his Penske teammate, Gil de Ferran. In 2002, he became the first driver since Al Unser in 1970-71 to win the race two years in a row, and also the youngest driver to achieve this feat at 27 years old. He is also the only driver to have won in his first two Indianapolis appearances. His signature celebration, climbing onto the trackside barriers with his arms raised, has become one of the sport's most iconic images.

The 2002 victory remains one of the most controversial in the race's history: on lap 199, Paul Tracy attempted to overtake the Brazilian for the lead when an accident brought out the safety car, freezing the order. With two further victories in 2009 and 2021, he is also among the four most successful drivers in the Indy 500. The 20-year gap between his first and last win is also the largest in the event's history.

Josef Newgarden — 2023-2024

Josef Newgarden became the sixth driver in history to win two consecutive Indy 500s, with victories in 2023 and 2024 driving for Team Penske in a Dallara DW12-Chevrolet. In 2023, he won by a mere 0,0974 seconds over Marcus Ericsson, the previous year's winner, whom he overtook on the final lap after a hard-fought battle in the closing stages of the race. In 2024, the gap was slightly more comfortable at 0,3417 seconds, this time over Pato O'Ward, whom he also managed to definitively pass on the final lap. Two victories secured in the dying moments of races that went down to the wire—the hallmark of a driver who excels under pressure.

Alex Palou, three-time champion IndyCar The reigning champion at Chip Ganassi Racing will have the opportunity this Sunday, May 24th, to join all these drivers in this very exclusive club of consecutive Indy 500 winners.

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