Home / Sports / Indy 500 Shatters Records: Closest Finish, Biggest Purse Ever
Indy 500 Shatters Records: Closest Finish, Biggest Purse Ever
26 May
Summary
- Felix Rosenqvist won the closest Indianapolis 500 race in history.
- The event featured a record-breaking purse of $30,906,400.
- The race saw its largest crowd since 2016 and its second consecutive sell-out.
Felix Rosenqvist has made history by winning the closest Indianapolis 500 race ever recorded. This remarkable victory on Sunday was accompanied by a monumental financial record, as confirmed by IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A statement released on Monday revealed that the 2026 Indianapolis 500 boasts the largest purse in its 110-year history, totaling $30,906,400. Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian were awarded a record $4.34 million for their win.
This marks the fifth consecutive year the Indy 500 purse has seen an increase. The growth is attributed to a surge in viewership and attendance. IndyCar's move to FOX Sports for the 2025 season coincided with the previous year's race drawing over seven million viewers, the highest figure since 2008. Qualifying viewership also saw a seven percent increase over 2025, despite being condensed to a single day due to rain.
The race itself achieved a rare feat, selling out for the second year consecutively. This drew the largest crowd since the 100th Running in 2016. J. Douglas Boles, IndyCar and IMS President, highlighted the thrilling on-track action, noting the most lead changes ever in the Indy 500, capped by Rosenqvist's historic win and record purse.
