<P> The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911 , where Ray Harroun was declared the first winner , driving the Marmon Wasp . The race has been run annually since 1911 ( with exceptions during World War I and World War II ) and 71 drivers have been crowned champions of the 500 - mile race over the course of 101 races . The most race victories held by a single driver is four , which has been accomplished only by A.J. Foyt , Al Unser and Rick Mears . The Indianapolis 500 has also drawn many international drivers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the years , with 26 of the winners coming from outside of the United States , representing nine separate countries . The most recent champion of the Indianapolis 500 is Takuma Sato , winner of the 2017 race . </P>
<P> The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911 , where Ray Harroun was declared the first winner , driving the Marmon Wasp . The race has been run annually since 1911 ( with exceptions during World War I and World War II ) and 71 drivers have been crowned champions of the 500 - mile race over the course of 101 races . The most race victories held by a single driver is four , which has been accomplished only by A.J. Foyt , Al Unser and Rick Mears . The Indianapolis 500 has also drawn many international drivers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the years , with 26 of the winners coming from outside of the United States , representing nine separate countries . The most recent champion of the Indianapolis 500 is Takuma Sato , winner of the 2017 race . </P>
who has won the indy 500 the most
who has won the indy 500 the most
A.J. Foyt Al Unser Rick Mears
A.J. Foyt Al Unser Rick Mears