INDIANAPOLIS – Seven past winners are among the field of 36 cars entered for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Three-time winner Helio Castroneves (2001, ’02, ’09) and single winners Scott Dixon (2008), Tony Kanaan (2013), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Takuma Sato (2017) and Will Power (2018) are all among those aiming for another win this year.
The total of 36 entries – an increase from last year – will also result in intense competition for the 33 starting spots during the new qualifying format for the cornerstone race of the NTT IndyCar Series season.
Crown Royal Armed Forces Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 on the 2.5-mile oval. Thirty cars will earn a spot in the starting field Saturday.
The top nine starting positions and the last three available starting spots – positions 31 through 33 – will be determined Sunday during the Fast Nine Shootout and Last Row Shootout, both of which will air on NBC.
Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso returns to the Indianapolis 500 this year with McLaren Racing, attempting to become just the second driver to win the Triple Crown of global auto racing by earning victories in the Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco Grand Prix.
Alonso electrified the racing world as an Indy 500 rookie in 2017, leading 27 laps before retiring with 20 laps left due to a mechanical problem. He was named Rookie of the Year.
One of the deepest, most talented fields in recent years also will feature seven drivers competing for Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Rookie of the Year honors.
Indy 500 rookie challengers include Marcus Ericsson, Santino Ferrucci, Ben Hanley, COTA winner Colton Herta, Jordan King, reigning Indy Lights champion Patricio O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist.
The field also includes seven past Indy car champions: Sebastien Bourdais, Dixon, Hunter-Reay, Kanaan, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Power.
Andretti Autosport has entered five cars, more than any other team. That entry pool includes the No. 98 U.S. Concrete/Curb Honda of Marco Andretti, which will feature a vivid, Day-glo red livery honoring the 50th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 victory by Andretti’s grandfather, Mario Andretti, in 1969.
Practice for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 opens Tuesday, May 14.
To view the complete entry list, click here.