You don't pay me to run second.

Dan Wheldon to Chip Ganassi, Nashville 2006

There comes a time in a race where money doesn't matter, living doesn't matter. Winning is the only thing that matters, and so when you go into those corners, it's winning that tells all.

Al Unser Jr.

I promise you this: it isn't the last you've seen of me at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. My last time there will not be a day when I'm walking out with my tail between my legs.

Paul Tracy, Indy Bump Day 2010

I kind of have half an idea of what it means to win this race now. I couldn't be happier.

Dario Franchitti on winning the 91st Indy 500

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

I'm a moving chicane out here!

Juan Pablo Montoya, lap 42 at St Pete's, March 30th 2014

If you run around in the back with the squirrels, you're bound to get your nuts cracked.

PJ Chesson

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

Maybe he should start thinking about driving and stop thinking about dancing because that was a stupid move.

Tomas Scheckter on Helio Castroneves, Detroit 2007

I'm 38. I'm a legit 38. I don't know how old you are, but I'm legit 38. March 3 1981.

Ed Carpenter to Tony Kanaan on the suggestion that he was over 40, Gateway, August 24th 2019

Some of the drivers roll out this 'safety' word, and suddenly it ties everybody's hands. But those arguments make no sense anyway. Remove downforce and you actually improve safety

Rick Mears on downforce, Motorsport.com, October 28th 2015

It's a great feeling. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Sam Hornish Jr. on winning the 90th Indy 500

Whatever you heard, somebody made it up. For the first two days, he talked nonsense because he had a concussion. It doesn't matter what he was saying. He doesn't even remember it.

Tony Kanaan on the rumours of Dario Franchitti's retirement after Houston, 2013

They're creating a much bigger problem than the one they're trying to solve. And it's mind-boggling, absolutely mind-boggling, that they don't see it and that these discussions have even made it this far.

James Hinchcliffe on INDYCAR mandating domed skids, Motorsport.com, April 5th 2016

You don't gotta win by five seconds - you just gotta win.

Tony Kanaan, Motegi 2007

"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

I was going good but then I slipped in my own drool.

Helio Castroneves on the return to road courses

Second place is nothing.

Marco Andretti, Indy 2006

And in 7 hours off to NYC!! Can't believe. Don't want to sleep thinking I'm gonna wake up from a dream.

Sebastian Saavedra, Indy Bump Day 2010, via Twitter

Whether you're a fan in turn 1 or turn 4, it doesn't matter what position you have. We all make the Indianapolis 500 what it is.

Josef Newgarden on The Indy 500, June 2023, via Twitter

Milka, if you're gonna go that slow you gotta drive your mirrors, hon'!

Ryan Hunter-Reay to Milka Duno after Watkins Glen qualifying, July 2010

I've never been so happy to be in last place.

Ryan Hunter Reay, Indy 500 Bump Day 2009

Back at the big house next weekend, kids.

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

F1 is for sissies, this is proper racing, you can quote me on that!

Dan Wheldon

It was a tough day – really disappointing... I guess it was a good day in reality.

Josef Newgarden on finishing 7th at the IMS Road Course, July 4th 2020

The only reason I'm wearin' it is so I didn't leave it in no hotel nowhere!

A.J. Foyt on his Indy 500 winner's ring, Detroit, June 3rd 2016

You've only seen me smile here.

Romain Grosjean on being in IndyCar, after the GMR Grand Prix, IMS, May 15th 2021

For a moment, all is right with the world - Danica Patrick is leading the Indianapolis 500.

Adam Alexander, Indy 2005

It's a Top-10 but after finishing here fifth last year nothing less than that would really be satisfying because you always want more.

Ed Carpenter after the 2009 Indianapolis 500

It was talent and skill, that's how I did it. A masterful display of driving ability!

James Hinchcliffe on getting through the gap that took him from 17th to 6th at Mid Ohio, August 2014

Going into Texas with four wheels on the car is pretty exciting!

Sarah Fisher after the 2009 Indianapolis 500

I hope all the fans out there were as excited about that race as I am. It was awesome doing so much passing. Racing can't get any better!

Graham Rahal on the Kentucky 300, August 2009

I get one more opportunity to head into the defining racing venue of my career with a single, achievable goal: Win.

Danica Patrick on her final Indy 500, The Players' Tribune, May 15th 2018

It's always sad to be out of a race but I'm happy that I walked away; it was a nasty, nasty crash.

Tony Kanaan at the 2009 Indianapolis 500

I miss my fans so much, you have no idea. I think I appreciate them more then I ever did.

Sarah Fisher, August 2006

Eyes on the starter...

Tom Carnegie

Not bad for a part timer ;o)

Graham Rahal on finishing 5th at Toronto, via Twitter, July 2010

I think it's is a long putt, so I think we're safe for a while.

Roger Penske on the possibility of F1 returning to Long Beach, April 2014

Will he get through? Where is he? Where is he? There he is!

Tom Carnegie on A.J. Foyt, 1967

The day started when I walked into Gasoline Alley and saw the grandstands. It was my first time here on race day and it was quite unbelievable.

Alex Tagliani on the 2009 Indianapolis 500

As a past driver, I'd answer the phone if Roger or Chip called...

Sarah Fisher on keeping Josef Newgarden in her team, Racer.com, August 3rd 2015

Some people strap on their helmet and lose their brains.

Graham Rahal on the carnage at Toronto, July 2011

Again, I was scared to death. I had zero grip, and I was lifting at the start/finish line going into one. It's embarrassing.

Marco Andretti, Kansas 2007

When you tug at a guy in the pit lane, I think that is taking advantage of your gender, because it puts me in an awkward position.

Dan Wheldon on Danica Patrick, June 2007

I think Danica's pretty aggressive in our cars. I mean, you know especially if you catch her at the right time of the month, she might be trading plenty of paint out there!

Ed Carpenter, July 2006

I can't control what size I am and how I'm built. All I know is the NBA doesn't lower the hoop for short guys.

Danica Patrick, June 2005

Rick Mears is a great race car driver. Hopefully I have plenty of years to try to earn his respect again.

Tony Kanaan, Detroit 2007

The minute he got in front of me, he slowed down half-a-second a lap because he knows I'm fighting him for the championship and he was out of the race. It's probably the most unsportsmanlike thing I've ever seen on the racetrack, apart from shunting someone into a wall.

Wade Cunningham on Sebastien Saavedra, Iowa 2009

If someone said choose one race to win, just one, and that was the only race you ever got to win, it would be the Indy 500.

Jack Harvey on the Indianapolis 500, indianapolismotorspeedway.com, February 21st 2019