To finish first you must first finish.

Rick Mears

The wall came too close and too quickly.

Fernando Alonso after crashing in practice, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 15th 2019

You know, bison do seem like some very American animals.

Conor Daly on Bison, IndyCar.com March 23rd 2021

The Indy 500 is one of the greatest events in the sport. Drivers all over the world know this. I belong there. Because I'm a racer.

Fernando Alonso on The Indy 500, The Players Tribune, May 18th 2017

If we're not racing hard, we're not racing.

Tony Kanaan, St Pete's 2007

It felt way better than I ever thought it was going to feel!

Ed Carpenter on finally winning his first race, Kansas, October 2011

Gentlemen... restart your engines!

Tom Carnegie, Indy 2004

Why do you think there are so many skid marks? It's not because it's a lovely corner.

John Andretti, Indy 2010

I have learned more in one week here than I did in my entire Formula One career.

Jean Alesi, Bump Day, Indy 2012

I prefer to be here, even 34th, then being at home like last year.

Fernando Alonso on the Indy 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 19th 2019

At 220mph friendship, risk and victory become extremely volatile.

Dan Wheldon

I WILL win at Kentucky.

Will Power, Chicago 2010

I just kept focused, focused, focused, all day long, getting every corner perfect.

Helio Castroneves, St Pete's 2007

I don't want to take a defeatist attitude here but it's going to be ugly. If IndyCar goes the domed skid route, we're going to be taking a knife to a gunfight.

Sam Schmidt on Chevy's advantage with domed skids, Racer.com, April 7th 2016

This has been the best season of my career in motorsport and I've learned so much. We'll be coming back to win this thing next year.

Will Power on losing to Dario Franchitti, Homestead, 2010

Any time I get to come to Indianapolis, any time I get to participate in the greatest spectacle in motor racing, it's a great day.

Paul Diatlovitch, Indy Bump Day 2007

Well, the elephant in the room is the aero kits.

Marco Andretti on why the Honda teams were struggling, Barber, April 27th 2015

I've got the Grandfathers Club with Helio and Juan, right?!

Roger Penske on his older two drivers, motorsport.com, March 22nd 2016

Racing IndyCars at Richmond is like flying fighter jets in a gymnasium.

Eddie Cheever Jr.

3-horse chase. Power, Dixie and GR

Curt Cavin with a new twist on an old saying, GP of Baltimore 2013

I drove the best race of my whole career!

Rinus VeeKay on finishing 5th at the IMS Road Course, July 4th 2020

"Many people always ask me why I sign off 'Until we meet again.' Because goodbye is so final. Goodbye, Dan Wheldon."

Marty Reid, Las Vegas, October 16th 2011

Beautiful chaos!

David Malukas on the racing at Texas Motor Speedway, April 2nd 2023

It was a very good test in terms of outright speed, but I did destroy a car the first day.

Dan Wheldon, Homestead test 2007

I think Briscoe and I had a pretty good race going on, but we got what we got.

Scott Dixon on losing the race and the championship, Homestead 2009

I mean this guy can't even keep his lies straight. He's told so many in the last week, he's not sure what the truth is.

Robin Miller on Kevin Kalkoven, February 2008

She was acting like a spoiled brat. I don't respect that. I tried to step away. She kept grabbing on me like a dog that wanted to bite my ankles.

Dan Wheldon on Danica Patrick, June 2007

Eyes on the starter...

Tom Carnegie

I'd have finished my career very disappointed had I not won the Indy 500. It's an amazing feeling and an amazing event.

Will Power on winning the 102nd Indy 500, racer.com, August 7th 2018

Back at the big house next weekend, kids.

Alexander Rossi on the Harvest GP, Twitter.com, 24th September 2020

Less than a mile an hour and I'm on pole. It's tough. It's IndyCar. It's why we love it.

Scott McLaughlan on qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 22nd 2023, via Speed Street

The things that play on your mind the most are the ones that just got away.

Buddy Lazier on the Indy 500

We're all back to square zero!

James Hinchcliffe on the start of a new season, Trackside, March 18th 2014

If I have to race until I am 86 years old, I am going to race until I win another Indianapolis 500.

Dan Wheldon after finishing 2nd in the 2010 Indianapolis 500

I just can't wait to get back in the car. I wonder if I'm still any good.

Will Power on the long off season, St Petersburg, March 21st 2013

Without the IRL, a lot of guys would never have been able to show what they can do.

Tony Stewart, May 2007

Winning is always a great feeling, but winning at your home track, a place that you grew up at and a place that helped you fall in love with the sport of IndyCar racing... this is priceless.

Graham Rahal on winning at Mid-Ohio, Instagram, August 3rd 2015

Someone asked me if I win the Indy 500 if I'd still retire? I'd still retire. What better way to go out?

Danica Patrick on her final race, racing.ap.org, March 7th 2018

I'm throwing this one out to Dan. This is his hometown, this is his car.

James Hinchcliffe after his first career victory, St. Petersburg, March 24th 2013

Speed on ovals is insane. Currently re-calibrating my eyes.

Jimmie Johnson on his first oval test at Texas Motor Speedway, via Twitter, August 30th 2020

I remember the first year I raced here, I took pictures of the entrance. I was taking pictures. I hoped one day to race here in May.

Fernando Alonso on Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 3rd 2017

I wish Beaux Barfield was officiating when I was driving - I'd have gotten a lot less penalties!

Paul Tracy on lax penalties for avoidable contact, Long Beach 2014

Off to heat yoga with @PitFitTraining. Gonna be sweating like a rapist.

Tomas Scheckter showing his class on Twitter, April 6th 2011

Everyone thinks that running in dirty air causes the front end to wash out, but actually it affects the whole car and you just can't follow someone close in fast or medium-speed corners since the aerokits came in.

Will Power on aerokits, Motorsport.com, May 4th 2016

Brad Pitt got a super license before me. Tough.

Colton Herta on Brad Pitt joining the F1 grid to film a movie, Twitter, May 4th 2023

Hope you're all snug in your beds, while Indycars dance in your head...

Simon Pagenaud on insomnia, Twitter, 4:31 AM, July 23rd 2019

I lifted a little, but I didn't touch the brake.

Will Power on the art of restarting, St Pete's, March 30th 2014

Pounding down toward the yard of bricks...

Tom Carnegie

I can't believe I'm here. It's so cool!

Mike Conway in victory lane, Long Beach 2014