The first payout in 1911 was about $27,550, and since the race has become more popular than ever, these days, the total payout stands at more than $13.
Indianapolis 500 winners used to receive 50% of the total purse, but recently winners only take about 20% of the purse. Despite the differences in percentages, it’s quite a large amount as the total purse has gradually increased over the years.
Last year, 2019, the total payout was $13.09 million, and the winner, Simon Pagenaud, took home the prize money close to $2.67 million. The last place driver took home about $200k.
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Indy 500 payout 2020
We will know the exact and official payout totals for the 2020 Indy 500 after the race. However, with the recent payouts, we can come up with an approximated figure for the race.
The last five years have seen the total purse decrease where we saw Simon Pagenaud take home roughly $2.67 million from the $13.09 million of the purse in 2019. The previous year in 2018, Will power earned about $2.52 million from $13/07 million purse
So, we expect the amount to differ slightly and close to the $13 million payouts.
The highest Indy 500 Payout history
In 2008, the total payout peaked to more than $14.4 million, and it became the highest ever payout in Indy 500 history.
In 2009, Helio Castroneves, a third-time winner, took home the largest amount paid to a winner amounting to about $3.04 million. He actually holds the record for earnings by an individual driver at more than $12. 65 million.
List of last 10 years winners and Prize money:
Here is the list of Indy 500 winner’s names and Payout of Prize Money for the Last 10 Years. Stay with the following…
2010 | $13,592,815 | Dario Franchitti | $2,752,055 |
2011 | $13,509,485 | Dan Wheldon | $2,592,255 |
2012 | $13,285,815 | Dario Franchitti | $2,474,280 |
2013 | $12,020,065 | Tony Kanaan | $2,353,355 |
2014 | $14,231,760 | Ryan Hunter-Reay | $2,491,194 |
2015 | $13,397,315 | Juan Pablo Montoya | $2,449,055 |
2016 | $13,273,253 | Alexander Rossi | $2,548,743 |
2017 | $13,178,359 | Takuma Sato | $2,458,129 |
2018 | $13,078,065 | Will Power | $2,525,454 |
2019 | $13,090,536 | Simon Pagenaud | $2,669,529 |
What determines the amount?
The total purse amount still remains undisclosed, but the prize money comes from sponsors, organizers, the IndyCar Series, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
That’s why you can find a driver despite the position he finished on earning more than another driver high on the ranking card. For instance, in 2008, Carlos Munoz finished 7th and earned about $254,000 while other drivers who finished 8th, 9th, and 10th took more money over $400k.
Lastly, what determines what each driver gets is the fastest laps, the number of laps led, and so on.
Conclusion
Simon Pagenaud will be defending his champion and will be looking to get his hands on another title win. But it’s an achievement that’s not easy to achieve.
The only drivers to win back-to-back races are five, and they include Helio Castroneves (2001-02), Al Unser (1970-71), Bill Vukovich (1953-54), Mauri Rose (1947-48), and Wilbur Shaw (1939-40).
Who do you think will be the winner of next year, 2020 Indy 500?
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