P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Indy 500 winner’s earnings, a list of every purse ever, who pays the money, do drivers make a profit?
The winner of the Indy 500 can earn a significant amount of money, with last year’s champion, Josef Newgarden, taking home $4.288 million and a $440,000 rollover bonus from BorgWarner. The overall purse for the drivers in 2024 was $18.456 million.
The prize money for the Indy 500 winner has been increasing, with Newgarden’s earnings in 2024 being 17% higher than what he earned in 2023, showing a positive trend in the rewards for the drivers.
The money for the 2025 Indy 500 winner is not confirmed until after the race, with the purse coming from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Newgarden, aiming for a historic third win in a row, faces a challenging starting position at the back of the 33-car field.
The purse for the Indy 500 is divided unequally, with the pole-sitter and drivers leading laps earning more. Every driver in the race receives some money, but not all make a profit due to high entry costs, which can exceed the prize earnings for some participants.
The prize money for the Indy 500 comes from sponsors, sanctioning bodies, and TV broadcasters, leading to record-high purses in recent years, with the amount increasing from $16 million in 2022 to $18.456 million in 2024.
