We have less than two weeks until the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. There’s a few things that make the Indy 500 different from the rest of the races on the calendar. Not only is there a wide historical context surrounding the race, there’s a handful of traditions and the race format is unlike any other we see during the season.
One of the biggest differences is the starting grid. Aside from the drivers that take place all season long, the Indy 500 allows for up to 33 drivers to compete in the race. This year, there’s a total of 33 entries meaning no one will get bumped or compete for a spot in laat-chance qualifying. Drivers can sign part-time contracts in order to race in the Indy 500 on its own or do a select few races (ex. Only racing on oval tracks.)
Changes From Last Year
Early on in the year, it was speculated that Colton Herta would return to Andretti Global as their fourth entry. Herta raced full-time with Andretti for a majority of his IndyCar career before switching to Formula 2 this year. He’s also the reserve driver for the Cadillac F1 Team. F2 goes racing in Montreal the same weekend as the Indy 500. With Herta unavailable, Andretti opted not to have a fourth entry this year.
Additionally, there will be no presence from Prema Racing in this year’s Indy 500. The team made their Indy debut last season but due to internal changes they weren’t ready in time for the start of this season.
The 2026 Indy-Only Entries
Katherine Legge
Katherine Legge is no stranger to the Indy 500. She will compete under HMD Motorsports with A.J. Foyt Racing. Legge has raced in four previous Indy 500 races, making this her fifth entry. Her previous race starts were in 2012, 2014, 2014, 2023 and 2024.
She’s the fastest female qualifier in Indy 500 history, setting the record in 2023. Legge will be the only female competitor on the grid this year. She’ll be driving the No. 11 Chevrolet sponsored by e.l.f Cosmetics.
Ryan Hunter-Reay
The 2014 Indy 500 champion is returning for his 18th start at the event. He won as a driver for Andretti Global – known as Andretti Autosport at the time. Ryan Hunter-Reay’s win marks the second closest finish in race history with a gap of only 0.060 seconds.
He was the first American to win the race since 2006. This year, he returns as the driver of the No. 31 Chevrolet as an additional entry for Arrow McLaren. 2026 marks the first time he’ll compete with Arrow McLaren after spending the past two years driving for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
Ed Carpenter
Racing with his own team once again, Ed Carpenter for Ed Carpenter Racing. The veteran driver has been racing for his team since 2016. Carpenter currently shares the record for most Indy 500 starts, 22, without a win. He’s tied with George Snider.
Carpenter’s had several top five finishes but hasn’t managed to make it onto that top step. He’s also one of only 10 drivers in the history of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to win three or more Indy 500 poles. Ed Carpenter will be driving the No. 33 Chevrolet.
Jacob Abel
He’s on the younger side of the grid but a familiar face is joining the lineup for the Indy 500. Jacob Abel will be driving the No. 51 Chevrolet and competing with Abel Motorsports. This marks his return to the INDYCAR SERIES for the first time since the end of last season.
Abel drove for Dale Coyne Racing in 2025 but has rejoined his family-owned team as a part-time driver. Last year, Abel got bumped during last-chance qualifying and was unable to compete in the race.
Abel Motorsports has previously competed in the Indy 500 in 2023 but hasn’t had an entry since then, until this year.
Takuma Sato
Joining Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) is Takuma Sato. He’ll be driving the No. 75 Honda. RLL was the team Sato was driving for when he won back in 2020. Sato is a two-time Indy 500 winner who has the potential to become the 11th driver to win the Indy 500 three or more times.
This will be his 17th attempt at the race. Sato is the first Japanese driver to win the Indy 500, taking home his first 500 win in 2017. During last year’s race, Sato led 51 laps and finished ninth overall.
Hélio Castroneves
In an attempt to win his fifth Indy 500, Hélio Castroneves joins the grid this year for his 26th race start. Castroneves is part of an exclusive group consisting of himself, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. They are the only drivers to record four Indy 500 wins. He’s the only member of the four to still actively compete in an attempt to break the record.
Castroneves’ most recent Indy 500 win came in 2021 with Meyer Shank Racing. This year he’ll be racing as the team’s third entry piloting the No. 06 Cleveland-Cliffs Honda. Castroneves’ other wins came in 2001, 2002 and 2009.
Conor Daly
He led testing at IMS on April 28th and is back for more action, this year Conor Daly is making his return as an Indy 500 only entry for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. He rejoins the team after several different part-time stints to secure a spot in the Indy 500.
Daly had a career best finish of sixth at the 2022 Indy 500 and has competed in the race 12 times. This year he will be driving the No. 23 Chevrolet.
Jack Hervey
Rounding out the grid is Jack Harvey. He works as a pit reporter for FOX Sports as well as being a part-time driver. At this year’s Indy 500 he’ll be teammates with Conor Daly, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Harvey has been competing in the Indy 500 on and off since 2017. This will mark his second consecutive start racing with the team and his 9th attempt at the Indy 500. Harvey’s career-best finish was 9th back in 2020.
The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is on May 24. The Girls Who will have coverage on all the action leading up to the big day.