Alex Palou won the Indy 500 pole. That may not mean much.
Alex Palou will defend his Indianapolis 500 title from pole position, but this chart shows recent history says that is far from a guarantee.
Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Alex Palou will attempt his title defense from pole position. Recent history suggests, however, that his road to victory might not be easy. Since 2000, five drivers have won the Indy 500 from pole position: Buddy Rice, Sam Hornish Jr.
, Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, and Simon Pagenaud. However, just one (Pagenaud in 2019) achieved that feat in the last 15 years. Castroneves, Dixon, Hornish Jr.
, and Rice all won in 2009 or earlier. Still, pole has been one of the better places to start: since 2000, 19. 2% of winners started first, tied with third for the highest share of any starting position.
DIG DEEPER: Who has won the Indy 500 the most? Full list of winners by year The Spaniard has dominated IndyCar over the past three seasons, as he’s won the series title all three years. In 2026, Palou won three out of six races en route to a 27-point championship lead.