102 Stats in 102 Days Until 102nd Indy 500 – Day 18, Most Indy 500 Starts Before Winning Race (March 3, 2018)

The 102nd Indianapolis 500 is 85 days away! This is the 18th day of the 102 Stats in 102 Days Until the 102nd Indy 500.

Each day from now until the Saturday before the Indianapolis 500, we’ll post a list of stats related to the race. Some of well-known statistics, while others are a little more in-depth. You can view the current list of 102-stat blogs by clicking here.

Today’s list looks at the drivers who made the most starts in the race before winning the race. This looks at the top 10 (11 as there is a five-way tie for seventh).

Most Indianapolis 500 Starts Before Winning Race (Top 10)

- Sam Hanks (won in 13th race: 1957)

- Tony Kanaan (won in 12th race: 2013)

- Jim Rathmann (won in 11th race: 1960)

- Johnny Rutherford (won in 11th race: 1974)

- Tom Sneva (won in 10th race: 1983)

- Al Unser Jr. (won in 10th race: 1992)

- Wilbur Shaw (won in 9th race: 1937)

- Mauri Rose (won in 9th race: 1941)

- Rodger Ward (won in 9th race: 1959)

- Gordon Johncock (won in 9th race: 1973)

- Eddie Cheever Jr. (won in 9th race: 1998)

Notes of Interest

- Mauri Rose did not start the 1941 race in the car that won, but took over for Floyd Davis midway through the race.

- Of the 11 drivers on the list, six of them went on to win at least one more Indianapolis 500 in their career.