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.
Since last fall I've been wondering what in the hell it's going to feel like, and now I know.
Danica Patrick on driving an IndyCar after 7 years away, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 1st 2018
I WILL win at Kentucky.
Will Power, Chicago 2010
Andy Granatelli for as much as he put into the sport, especially at Indianapolis. I had to deal with that big kiss. I can still smell the garlic.
Mario Andretti on Andy Granatelli after the 1969 Indianapolis 500
The toughest people out there passing me are my teammates, and I don't get that. I think three of the four of us get what the camaraderie of Andretti Green Racing is.
Marco Andretti on an unidentified teammate after Milwaukee 2009
I just kept focused, focused, focused, all day long, getting every corner perfect.
Helio Castroneves, St Pete's 2007
I'm a moving chicane out here!
Juan Pablo Montoya, lap 42 at St Pete's, March 30th 2014
Everyone wants to pick a fight with me. Whatever.
Sage Karam on everyone wanting to pick a fight with him, IndyStar.com, August 3rd 2015
It's the biggest race in the world. It's not supposed to be easy.
Marcus Ericsson on The Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May 2023
It's like a reunion to come back here every May. I've never retired. I always say, "I'm not done yet."
Parnelli Jones, Indy 2007
The things that play on your mind the most are the ones that just got away.
Buddy Lazier on the Indy 500
Do you still remember how to celebrate these things?!
Tim Cindric on the radio to Will Power, Detroit, 5th June 2016
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
At 220mph friendship, risk and victory become extremely volatile.
Dan Wheldon
Good morning from the start/finish line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Tom Carnegie
I was just hanging back there waiting for someone to make a mistake and it turned out to be me!
Colton Herta on the final restart, Road America, June 12th 2022
I am stupid.
Zach Veach on Zach Veach after an off track excursion, IMS, July 4th 2020
I keep getting asked by Europeans, drivers also, if racing around IMS was boring an' easy. I just want to shake my head and walk away.
Connor Daly, June 6th 2013, via Twitter
This place isn't easy. It's not supposed to be easy. This place starts the 33 fastest, best-prepared cars. Obviously, I missed.
Paul Diatlovitch, Indy Bump Day 2007
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
You know, bison do seem like some very American animals.
Conor Daly on Bison, IndyCar.com March 23rd 2021
It's a new... track... record!
Tom Carnegie
I need a nap now.
Colton Herta on winning his first IndyCar race, COTA, 24th March 2019
You don't gotta win by five seconds - you just gotta win.
Tony Kanaan, Motegi 2007
This is a great decision by IndyCar. Plus it gives me another month to get ready.
Jimmie Johnson on the 2021 season opener being delayed, via Twitter, January 6th 2021
I came in not knowing what to expect. I basically fell in love with IndyCar.
Romain Grosjean on his rookie season, Laguna Seca, September 19th 2021
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
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
Now they've got competition and they are not talking about winning. I feel like they want to sit around and hold hands and sing. I want to win.
Chip Ganassi on Honda, St Petersberg, March 23rd 2013
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
The Indy 500 was the defining stage of my career.
Mario Andretti
The Indianapolis 500 is about the fastest 33 Indy car drivers going for one prize. If they happen to come from America, that's great.
Tony Stewart, May 2007
No way. That's the best part about our cars, no power steering, high aero, get it done.
Scott McLaughlin on adding power steering, via Twitter, April 26th 2021
I wish I could get my deadbeat family to participate.
Kurt St. Angelo on the IndyCarFanZone fantasy league, Twitter, September 14th 2022
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
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
If they want to be on the front page of USA Today, they can be my guest. If I ever want attention, I'm just going to get out of the car and beat the hell out of somebody.
Tony Kanaan on Dan and Danica, Milwaukee 2007
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
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
Time to go to the back row party!
Ryan Hunter Reay, Indy 500 Bump Day 2009
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James Hinchcliffe on bumping at Indy, May 19th 2018
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
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
If he wins this race with what he has to work with, they ought to name this place after him.
John Barnes on Sam Hornish Jr, indy 2003
Brian Clauson's car got pretty beat up yesterday. It's black and blue all over
Justin Wilson on Brian Clauson's patchwork DW12, bump day, Indy 2012
It's a living, breathing, organism.
Eddie Cheever on Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The walls are white, the track is grey, the grass is green, and the sky is blue... your job is to keep them all where they belong.
Johnny Rutherford's advice to Indy 500 rookies
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
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