# The 16 Best IndyCar Drivers of the 2000s

> Multiple champions, Indy 500 legends, and Champ Car icons defined a fiercely competitive decade on ovals and street circuits alike. Household names raced wheel-to-wheel with cult favorites. Who was the best of the era?

*By YPB Team · Published June 23, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-best-indycar-drivers-of-the-2000s*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Gil de Ferran** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Brazilian two-time CART champion in 2000 and 2001 who won the 2003 Indianapolis 500.
2. **Scott Dixon** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 952/1000)
   New Zealand's prolific champion who took IndyCar titles in 2003 and 2008 and won the 2008 Indy 500.
3. **Sebastien Bourdais** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 835/1000)
   Frenchman who won four consecutive Champ Car titles from 2004 to 2007.
4. **Dan Wheldon** — 0% (0 votes · score 734/1000)
   The popular Englishman who won the 2005 IndyCar title and Indianapolis 500.
5. **Kenny Brack** — 0% (0 votes · score 734/1000)
   Swedish former Indy 500 winner and IRL champion who raced into the early 2000s.
6. **Ryan Briscoe** — 0% (0 votes · score 571/1000)
   Australian Penske driver who became a consistent race winner late in the decade.
7. **Danica Patrick** — 0% (0 votes · score 571/1000)
   Trailblazing American whose 2005 rookie season made her one of the sport's biggest draws.
8. **Helio Castroneves** — 0% (0 votes · score 467/1000)
   The charismatic Brazilian who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2001, 2002, and 2009.
9. **Sam Hornish Jr.** — 0% (0 votes · score 467/1000)
   Three-time IRL IndyCar champion of the 2000s and dramatic 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner.
10. **Tony Kanaan** — 0% (0 votes · score 467/1000)
   The beloved Brazilian who dominated to win the 2004 IndyCar championship.
11. **Cristiano da Matta** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   Brazilian who dominated the 2002 CART season to claim the championship.
12. **Buddy Rice** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   American who won the rain-shortened 2004 Indianapolis 500.
13. **Justin Wilson** — 0% (0 votes · score 343/1000)
   Tall, beloved British driver who won races in both Champ Car and IndyCar.
14. **Dario Franchitti** — 0% (0 votes · score 190/1000)
   Scottish star who won the 2007 IndyCar title and the Indianapolis 500 the same year.
15. **Paul Tracy** — 0% (0 votes · score 190/1000)
   The hard-charging Canadian who won the 2003 Champ Car championship.
16. **Bruno Junqueira** — 0% (0 votes · score 190/1000)
   Brazilian Champ Car standout and multiple race winner across the decade.

Tags: 2000s, drivers, motorsport, indycar