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The Indy 500 is the most prestigious event on the racing calendar each year — and its prize money is rising to a prestigious paycheck. Here’s everything you need to know about how much money Indy 500 winners earn:
Last year’s Indy 500 winner, Josef Newgarden, won a record $4.288 million of an $18.456 million purse; getting a $440,000 rollover bonus from BorgWarner as a repeat winner. That was up 17% from the $3.666 million Newgarden won in 2023.
Helio Castroneves set the record in 2009 at $3.048 million that lasted until Marcus Ericsson won $3.1 million in 2022. Newgarden has surpassed that total the best two seasons, including $4.288 million last year.
Sponsors and television networks contribute to the purse. Sanctioning body fees also contribute to the purse. The purse has set a record each of the last three years from $16 million in 2022, to $17.0215 million in 2023 to $18.456 million in 2024.
Where a driver finishes isn’t the only factor in determining how much money they take home. The winner of the pole position takes home a large amount, and drivers earn money for each number of laps they lead.
Since 1924, every driver in the field has taken home a check. But that doesn’t mean every driver is coming out on top — far from it. The expenses to field an entry — around $1 million for an established team, and $2 million for a team starting from scratch — almost always surpasses the amount of money a driver wins. Conor Daly told the IndyStar in 2018 that it would take a top-five finish for him to come out with a net gain.
“That’s something you start to think about,” he said.
The purse, which comes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is not announced until after the race.
Follow IndyStar trending sports reporter Matthew VanTryon on Twitter @MVanTryon and email him story ideas at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How much money does Indy 500 winner receive? What is the Indy 500 purse
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How much money did last year’s Indy 500 winner earn?
Last year’s Indy 500 winner, Josef Newgarden, won a record $4.288 million of an $18.456 million purse; getting a $440,000 rollover bonus from BorgWarner as a repeat winner. That was up 17% from the $3.666 million Newgarden won in 2023.
What is the biggest grand prize in Indy 500 history?
Helio Castroneves set the record in 2009 at $3.048 million that lasted until Marcus Ericsson won $3.1 million in 2022. Newgarden has surpassed that total the best two seasons, including $4.288 million last year.
What determines the Indy 500 purse?
Sponsors and television networks contribute to the purse. Sanctioning body fees also contribute to the purse. The purse has set a record each of the last three years from $16 million in 2022, to $17.0215 million in 2023 to $18.456 million in 2024.
How is the purse divided among drivers?
Where a driver finishes isn’t the only factor in determining how much money they take home. The winner of the pole position takes home a large amount, and drivers earn money for each number of laps they lead.
Does every driver earn money?
Since 1924, every driver in the field has taken home a check. But that doesn’t mean every driver is coming out on top — far from it. The expenses to field an entry — around $1 million for an established team, and $2 million for a team starting from scratch — almost always surpasses the amount of money a driver wins. Conor Daly told the IndyStar in 2018 that it would take a top-five finish for him to come out with a net gain.
“That’s something you start to think about,” he said.
How much money will the 2025 Indy 500 winner earn?
The purse, which comes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is not announced until after the race.
Follow IndyStar trending sports reporter Matthew VanTryon on Twitter @MVanTryon and email him story ideas at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How much money does Indy 500 winner receive? What is the Indy 500 purse
Continue reading...
