Winning the Indy 500 means everything to drivers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The week leading up to the Indy 500 often means more cameras than laps for these drivers, but the magnitude of this race, this track and these 500 miles is what truly makes the Indy 500 so special. 

“When you come here, and for me I was here five or six years before I won the race, you’re constantly thinking you’re going to be one of those people that comes here with a great team and should have a great shot at winning the race but maybe never do,” said Scott Dixon, who won the Indy 500 in 2008.  “There were so many great drivers through their careers that this was the one that sort of got left out.”

“You put your face on the trophy, you get millions and millions of dollars, you become part of the museum,” said Tony Kanaan, still searching for his first Indy 500 victory.  “It’s a race that every driver wants to win.”

“To be able to be victorious at Indy, I don’t even know what it would mean,” said Marco Andretti, who came close to winning in his rookie season.  “It would just be unbelievable.”

“It’s a privilege,” said Dixon.  “One, to be in the race and be a part of the festivities and then to be a lucky one to have won it, it’s really cool.  The problem is, when you win it once you want to win it many more times.”

A victory in Indianapolis may come with incredibly increased fandom and lifelong pressures from fans and expectations from owners, but winning the Indy 500 means absolutely everything to these drivers.