The 18 Greatest IndyCar Rookie of the Year Winners

First-year sensations who went on to titles, Indy 500 glory and even Formula 1 crowns sit beside cult heroes from the sport's wildest eras. Decades of debut brilliance, one question. Where do you stand?

1. 1
   Mario Andretti

   1964 Rookie of the Year who became a four-time IndyCar champion, Indy 500 winner, and F1 world champion.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Graham Rahal

   2008 Rookie of the Year who became the youngest IndyCar race winner at the time in his debut season.
   625pts
3. 3
   Teo Fabi

   1983 Rookie of the Year who won the Indy 500 pole and four races in a sensational debut season.
   535pts
4. 4
   Jacques Villeneuve

   1994 Rookie of the Year who won the 1995 Indy 500 and CART title, then the 1997 F1 championship.
   416pts
5. 5
   A.J. Foyt

   1957 Rookie of the Year and the first four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, an American racing icon.
   416pts
6. 6
   Scott Dixon

   2001 CART Rookie of the Year who became a six-time IndyCar champion and an all-time wins leader.
   416pts
7. 7
   Johnny Rutherford

   1962 Rookie of the Year who went on to win the Indianapolis 500 three times.
   416pts
8. 8
   Felix Rosenqvist

   2019 Rookie of the Year whose strong debut earned him a seat with championship-winning teams.
   341pts
9. 9
   Bobby Rahal

   1982 Rookie of the Year who won two races as a rookie and later the 1986 Indianapolis 500.
   341pts
10. 10
    Marco Andretti

    2006 Rookie of the Year who nearly won the Indy 500 in his debut, extending the Andretti legacy.
    341pts
11. 11
    Juan Pablo Montoya

    1999 CART Rookie of the Year who won the title as a rookie, then the Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix.
    341pts
12. 12
    Simon Pagenaud

    2012 Rookie of the Year who became the 2016 IndyCar champion and 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner.
    341pts
13. 13
    James Hinchcliffe

    2011 Rookie of the Year, a multiple race winner and one of the sport's most popular personalities.
    250pts
14. 14
    Alexander Rossi

    2016 Rookie of the Year who stunned the field by winning the 100th Indianapolis 500 as a rookie.
    250pts
15. 15
    Dan Wheldon

    2003 Rookie of the Year who won two Indianapolis 500s before his untimely death in 2011.
    250pts
16. 16
    Sebastien Bourdais

    2003 CART Rookie of the Year who promptly won four straight Champ Car championships.
    0pts
17. 17
    Rick Mears

    1976 Rookie of the Year who went on to win the Indianapolis 500 a record-tying four times.
    0pts
18. 18
    Danica Patrick

    2005 Rookie of the Year whose breakthrough rookie season redefined visibility for women in motorsport.
    0pts

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