Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By Noah Poser, Staff Writer</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Alex Palou will start the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 from the pole. He’s the defending race winner. He’s also the three-time defending series champion and appears well on his way to a fourth straight INDYCAR title – and fifth overall – after winning three of the first six races this season.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For all intents and purposes, he looks unstoppable.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But there’s that old physics paradox: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On Sunday, we might find out.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because while starting from the pole at the Indy 500 may seem like a blessing for Palou, it has often been a curse over the past decade. Just ask six-time series champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He’s won three poles in the past 10 runnings of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” His finishes in those years? 21st, 17th and 32nd.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Across the last 10 Indy 500 pole sitters, the cumulative line reads: 1 win, 3 top five finishes, 5 Top 10s and 2 DNFs. In other words, the odds of finishing outside the Top 10 are just as strong as finishing inside it, and the chances of a DNF are nearly as good as scoring a top five.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">All of which underscores the essence of the Indy 500 in that it is a test of skill and will, but ultimately one defined by its unpredictability. Like Palou, many of the drivers listed below entered race day as the favorite, only to leave scratching their heads.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Without further ado, here are the last 10 pole sitters and how they fared when the checkered flag waved:</p>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025- Robert Shwartzman</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 26th</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robert-Shwartzman-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m131210-1024x683.jpg" alt="Robert Shwartzman Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photo Shoot By Joe Skibinski Ref Image Without Watermark m131210" class="wp-image-48068" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 1" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robert-Shwartzman-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m131210-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robert-Shwartzman-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m131210-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robert-Shwartzman-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m131210-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robert-Shwartzman-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m131210-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Robert-Shwartzman-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m131210.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024- Scott McLaughlin</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 6th</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-McLaughlin-108th-Running-of-the-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Chris-Owens_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m105668-1024x683.jpg" alt="Scott McLaughlin 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photoshoot By Chris Owens Ref Image Without Watermark m105668" class="wp-image-48069" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 2" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-McLaughlin-108th-Running-of-the-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Chris-Owens_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m105668-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-McLaughlin-108th-Running-of-the-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Chris-Owens_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m105668-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-McLaughlin-108th-Running-of-the-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Chris-Owens_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m105668-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-McLaughlin-108th-Running-of-the-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Chris-Owens_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m105668-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-McLaughlin-108th-Running-of-the-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Chris-Owens_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m105668.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Chris Owens</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023- Alex Palou</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 4th</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Palou-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m81741-1024x683.jpg" alt="Alex Palou Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photoshoot By Joe Skibinski Ref Image Without Watermark m81741" class="wp-image-48067" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 3" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Palou-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m81741-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Palou-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m81741-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Palou-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m81741-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Palou-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m81741-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Palou-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photoshoot-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m81741.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2022- Scott Dixon</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 21st</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m58811-1024x683.jpg" alt="Scott Dixon Indianapolis 500 Front Row By Joe Skibinski Ref Image Without Watermark m58811" class="wp-image-48070" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 4" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m58811-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m58811-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m58811-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m58811-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-By_-Joe-Skibinski_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m58811.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Joe Skibinski</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2021- Scott Dixon</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 17th</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m42016-1024x681.jpg" alt="Scott Dixon Indianapolis 500 Front Row Photo Shoot Ref Image Without Watermark m42016" class="wp-image-48071" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 5" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m42016-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m42016-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m42016-768x511.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m42016-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Scott-Dixon-Indianapolis-500-Front-Row-Photo-Shoot_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m42016.jpg 1082w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Chris Owens</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2020- Marco Andretti</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 13th</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marco-Andretti-during-the-Day-After-Shoot-for-the-Indianapolis-500-at-the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-Monday_-August-17_-2020_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m34323-1024x681.jpg" alt="Marco Andretti during the Day After Shoot for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday August 17 2020 Ref Image Without Watermark m34323" class="wp-image-48072" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 6" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marco-Andretti-during-the-Day-After-Shoot-for-the-Indianapolis-500-at-the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-Monday_-August-17_-2020_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m34323-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marco-Andretti-during-the-Day-After-Shoot-for-the-Indianapolis-500-at-the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-Monday_-August-17_-2020_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m34323-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marco-Andretti-during-the-Day-After-Shoot-for-the-Indianapolis-500-at-the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-Monday_-August-17_-2020_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m34323-768x511.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marco-Andretti-during-the-Day-After-Shoot-for-the-Indianapolis-500-at-the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-Monday_-August-17_-2020_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m34323-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Marco-Andretti-during-the-Day-After-Shoot-for-the-Indianapolis-500-at-the-Indianapolis-Motor-Speedway-Monday_-August-17_-2020_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m34323.jpg 1082w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Chris Owens</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2019- Simon Pagenaud</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em><strong>Finished: 1st</strong></em></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Simon-Pagenaud-NTT-Pole-Award-Winner_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m13329-1024x683.jpg" alt="Simon Pagenaud NTT Pole Award Winner Ref Image Without Watermark m13329" class="wp-image-48073" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 7" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Simon-Pagenaud-NTT-Pole-Award-Winner_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m13329-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Simon-Pagenaud-NTT-Pole-Award-Winner_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m13329-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Simon-Pagenaud-NTT-Pole-Award-Winner_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m13329-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Simon-Pagenaud-NTT-Pole-Award-Winner_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m13329-150x100.jpg 150w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Simon-Pagenaud-NTT-Pole-Award-Winner_Ref-Image-Without-Watermark_m13329.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Penske Entertainment: Chris Jones</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2018- Ed Carpenter</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 2nd</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-1024x717.jpg" alt="GettyImages 961164502" class="wp-image-48075" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 8" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-1024x717.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-300x210.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-768x538.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-1536x1076.jpg 1536w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-2048x1434.jpg 2048w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-961164502-150x105.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2017- Scott Dixon</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 32nd</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-1024x683.jpg" alt="GettyImages 686581154" class="wp-image-48076" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 9" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-300x200.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-768x512.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-686581154-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2016- James Hinchcliffe</strong></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Finished: 7th</strong></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="699" src="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-1024x699.jpg" alt="GettyImages 534711656" class="wp-image-48077" title="Palou looks unstoppable, but history hasn’t always been kind to Indy 500 pole sitters 10" srcset="https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-1024x699.jpg 1024w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-300x205.jpg 300w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-768x524.jpg 768w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-1536x1048.jpg 1536w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-2048x1397.jpg 2048w, https://kickinthetires.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-534711656-150x102.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Credit- Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://1075thefan.com/727229/complete-list-indianapolis-500-pole-sitters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Complete List of Indianapolis 500 Pole Sitters (1911–2026)</strong></a></h4>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>