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Indianapolis 500-Mile Race all-time lap leaders
Two hundred fourteen drivers have led the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, in ninety-nine races.
Career lap leader percentage rounded to hundredths of a percent.
Green indicates drivers active as of most recent race.
Contents
- Indianapolis 500 Mile Race all time lap leaders
- Most Laps Led
- 50 Race Laps Led non winning entries
- Notes
- Autolite Pacemakers Club
- References
Most Laps Led
Fifty-six of ninety-eight Indianapolis 500-Mile Races have been won by the driver leading the most laps, 57.14%.
50%+ Race Laps Led, non-winning entries
Nineteen separate entries in equal years, driven by fifteen drivers, have failed to win despite leading over half a given race's completed laps.
Notes
1 Italian-born 2 British-born 3 French-born 4 Swiss-bornAutolite Pacemakers Club
In 1964, Autolite created the "Pacemakers Club," which recognized drivers who had led at least one lap during the Indianapolis 500. It quickly rose in stature and popularity, and became a highly sought-after honor associated with the Indianapolis 500. After changes in sponsorship, the organization was renamed the Leaders Circle Club.
The qualifications were simple, and driver who had led at least one lap during race, whether living or already deceased, were recognized as members. At its inception, 102 drivers were listed as members. A total of 56 were deceased at the time, and 46 were living.
Honorees receive a jacket, and are honored at a banquet in their honor. The number of new members inducted at the banquet varies annually, as it is solely based on the previous year's first-time lap leaders. Some years can have as few as one or zero new members inducted, while other years have had as many as 4-5. The "club" is still active as of 2012.