INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) -- The Indianapolis 500 purse reached a record-breaking $20,283,000 for the 109th running of the race on Sunday, with first-time winner Álex Palou earning $3.8 million.
This year's purse marks the largest in the history of the Indianapolis 500, continuing a trend of increasing payouts over the past four years. The average payout for IndyCar drivers was $596,500, surpassing last year's average of $543,000.
In 2024, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $18,456,000, with the winner earning $4.3 million, which included a $440,000 roll-over bonus from BorgWarner for back-to-back wins.
In 2023, the purse was $17,021,500, and the winner earned $3.7 million.
In 2022, the purse was $16,000,200, with the winner taking home $3.1 million.
Prior to 2022, the largest purse was $14.4 million in 2008.
Robert Shwartzman of PREMA Racing was named Rookie of the Year, earning a $50,000 bonus and a total prize of $327,300.
The purse awards were to be presented Monday evening at the Victory Celebration at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis.