# IndyCar Rookie of the Year

The IndyCar Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a IndyCar Series season.
The following lists compiling all the winners of the Rookie of the Year Award in open wheel American Championship Car Racing from 1946 season to the present day. Before the creation of Championship Auto Racing Teams the prize is not officially awarded. So all of the AAA and USAC winners of the Rookie of the Year award is not officially recognized.
As of 2022 IndyCar Season a driver is a Rookie Driver in the IndyCar Series if the driver has: A) not participated in more than four (4) IndyCar Series races in a Racing Season or
B) participated in less than eight (8) IndyCar Series races in his/her career.
The list of "Indy car", "Champ car" or "IndyCar" rookies under the following auspices:
* American Automobile Association Contest Board (1946–1955)
* United States Automobile Club (1956–1980)
* Championship Auto Racing Teams (1979–2007)
* Indy Racing League/IndyCar Series (1997–present)

## Sanctioning bodies

The AAA Contest Board began sanctioning races as early as 1904. In the early years of the sport, only two seasons (1905 and 1916) an official national championship was recognized and awarded. The 1946 season is a source of a statistical anomaly. The AAA Contest Board included a substantial number of "Big Car" races in the national championship for 1946, swelling the season to 77 events (6 Champ Car races and 71 Big Car races). Some later texts chose to dismiss the 71 Big Car races from record, but reliable records and historians contend that the season should be regarded as the full 77-race schedule. Officially, Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year Award named after the late founder of the two-time champion TrueSports Racing Team, it was presented from 1979 Season to 2007 Season to the rookie who accumulates the most Champ Car Championship Series points among first year drivers.

## Rookie of the Year winners
### AAA and USAC Rookie of the Year winners

AAA National Motor Car Championship :
| Year | Rookie of the Year winners | Rookie of the Year winners | Rookie of the Year winners | Driver standings | Wins | Team |
| 1946 | Jimmy Jackson | Jimmy Jackson | Jimmy Jackson | 4 | | Jimmy Jackson Racing |
| 1947 | Bill Holland | Bill Holland | Bill Holland | 2 | 2 | Fred Peters Racing |
| 1948 | Mack Hellings | Mack Hellings | Mack Hellings | 8 | | Tommy Lee Racing |
| 1949 | Jimmy Davies | Jimmy Davies | Jimmy Davies | 17 | 1 | Pat Clancy Racing |
| 1950 | Walt Faulkner | Walt Faulkner | Walt Faulkner | 2 | 1 | J.C. Agajanian Racing |
| 1951 | Mike Nazaruk | Mike Nazaruk | Mike Nazaruk | 5 | | Jim Robbins Racing, Lou & Bruce Bromme Racing |
| 1952 | Jimmy Reece | Jimmy Reece | Jimmy Reece | 9 | | John Zink Racing |
| 1953 | Ernie McCoy | Ernie McCoy | Ernie McCoy | 16 | | H.A. Chapman Racing |
| 1954 | Larry Crockett | Larry Crockett | Larry Crockett | 11 | | Federal Engineering |
| 1955 | George Amick | George Amick | George Amick | 9 | | Lindsey Hopkins Racing |
| USAC National Championship |||||||
| Year | Rookie of the Year winners | Rookie of the Year winners | Rookie of the Year winners | Driver standings | Wins | Team |
| 1956 | Jud Larson | Jud Larson | Jud Larson | 22 | 1 | John Zink Racing |
| 1957 | A. J. Foyt | A. J. Foyt | A. J. Foyt | 26 | | John Wills Racing |
| 1958 | Joe Barzda | Joe Barzda | Joe Barzda | 18 | | Joe Barzda Racing |
| 1959 | Jim Hurtubise | Jim Hurtubise | Jim Hurtubise | 21 | 1 | Racing Associates |
| 1960 | Parnelli Jones | Parnelli Jones | Parnelli Jones | 18 | | D.A. Caruthers Racing |
| 1961 | Bobby Marshman | Bobby Marshman | Bobby Marshman | 8 | | Walter Meskowski Racing |
| 1962 | Johnny Rutherford | Johnny Rutherford | Johnny Rutherford | 25 | | Ollie Prather Racing |
| 1963 | Jim Clark | Jim Clark | Jim Clark | 6 | 1 | Team Lotus |
| 1964 | Mario Andretti | Mario Andretti | Mario Andretti | 11 | | Dean Van Lines Racing |
| 1965 | Carl Williams | Carl Williams | Carl Williams | 23 | | |
| 1966 | Al Smith | Al Smith | Al Smith | 16 | | Federal Automotive Associates |
| 1967 | Jim Malloy | Jim Malloy | Jim Malloy | 27 | | Jim Robbins Racing |
| 1968 | Sonny Ates | Sonny Ates | Sonny Ates | 24 | | Boyce Holt Racing, Joe Barzda Racing, Federal Automotive Associates |
| 1969 | Steve Krisiloff | Steve Krisiloff | Steve Krisiloff | 24 | | Shelby-Dowd Racing |
| 1970 | Dick Simon | Dick Simon | Dick Simon | 10 | | Racing International |
| 1971 | George Eaton | George Eaton | George Eaton | 24 | | Fejer Brothers Racing |
| 1972 | Mike Hiss | Mike Hiss | Mike Hiss | 6 | | Page Racing Enterprises |
| 1973 | Tom Sneva | Tom Sneva | Tom Sneva | 31 | | |
| 1974 | Pancho Carter | Pancho Carter | Pancho Carter | 11 | | Bob Fletcher Racing |
| 1975 | Spike Gehlhausen | Spike Gehlhausen | Spike Gehlhausen | 24 | | Carl Gehlhausen Racing |
| 1976 | Rick Mears | Rick Mears | Rick Mears | 16 | | Art Sugai Racing |
| 1977 | Danny Ongais | Danny Ongais | Danny Ongais | 12 | 1 | Interscope Racing |
| 1978 | Tom Bagley | Tom Bagley | Tom Bagley | 11 | | Leader Card Racers |
| 1979 | Howdy Holmes | Howdy Holmes | Howdy Holmes | 12 | | AMI Racing |
| 1980 | Gordon Smiley | Gordon Smiley | Gordon Smiley | 18 | | Patrick Racing |

### CART Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year winners

The Rookie of the Year award in CART was named in the honor of Jim Trueman.
| Season | Driver | Driver standings | Wins | Team | Chassis | Engine | Tyres |
| 1979 | Bill Alsup | 15 | | WASP Racing | McLaren M16C/D | Offenhauser L4t 159 ci | Goodyear |
| 1980 | Dennis Firestone | 12 | | Rhoades Competition | Penske | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1981 | Bob Lazier | 9 | | Bob Fletcher Racing | Penske (1-6) March 81C (7-11) | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1982 | Bobby Rahal | 2 | 2 | Truesports | March 82C | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1983 | Teo Fabi | 2 | 4 | Forsythe Racing | March 83C | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1984 | Roberto Guerrero | 11 | | Bignotti-Cotter Racing | March 84C | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1985 | Arie Luyendyk | 18 | | Provimi Racing | Lola T900 | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1986 | Dominic Dobson | 30 | | Leader Cards Racing | March 86C | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1987 | Fabrizio Barbazza | 12 | | Arciero Racing | March 87C | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1988 | John Jones | 11 | | Arciero Racing | March 88C | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1989 | Bernard Jourdain | 20 | | Andale Racing | Lola | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1990 | Eddie Cheever | 9 | | Chip Ganassi Racing | Penske PC-18 | Chevrolet A | Goodyear |
| 1991 | Jeff Andretti | 15 | | Bayside Disposal Racing | Lola | Cosworth DFX | Goodyear |
| 1992 | Stefan Johansson | 14 | | Bettenhausen Racing | Penske PC-20 | Chevrolet A | Goodyear |
| 1993 | Nigel Mansell | Champion | 5 | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola T93/00 | Ford XB | Goodyear |
| 1994 | Jacques Villeneuve | 6 | 1 | Forsythe Racing | Reynard 94i | Ford XB | Goodyear |
| 1995 | Gil de Ferran | 14 | 1 | Jim Hall Racing | Reynard 95i | Mercedes-Benz IC108 | Goodyear |
| 1996 | Alex Zanardi | 3 | 3 | Chip Ganassi Racing | Reynard 96i | Honda HRH | Firestone |
| 1997 | Patrick Carpentier | 17 | | Bettenhausen Racing | Reynard 97i | Mercedes-Benz IC108D | Goodyear |
| 1998 | Tony Kanaan | 9 | | Tasman Motorsports | Reynard 98i | Honda HRK | Firestone |
| 1999 | Juan Pablo Montoya | Champion | 7 | Chip Ganassi Racing | Reynard 99i | Honda HRS | Firestone |
| 2000 | Kenny Bräck | 4 | | Team Rahal | Reynard 2Ki | Ford Cosworth XF | Firestone |
| 2001 | Scott Dixon | 8 | 1 | PacWest Racing | Reynard 01i | Toyota RV8F | Firestone |
| 2002 | Mario Dominguez | 18 | 1 | Herdez Competition | Lola B02/00 | Ford Cosworth XF | Bridgestone |
| 2003 | Sébastien Bourdais | 4 | 3 | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola B02/00 | Ford Cosworth XFE | Bridgestone |
| 2004 | A. J. Allmendinger | 6 | | RuSPORT | Lola B02/00 | Ford Cosworth XFE | Bridgestone |
| 2005 | Timo Glock | 8 | | Rocketsports Racing | Lola B02/00 | Ford Cosworth XFE | Bridgestone |
| 2006 | Will Power | 6 | | Team Australia | Lola B02/00 | Ford Cosworth XFE | Bridgestone |
| 2007 | Robert Doornbos | 3 | 2 | Minardi Team USA | Panoz DP01 | Cosworth XFE | Bridgestone |

### IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year winners

As of 2018 IndyCar Series season The Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the top-finishing rookie in the IndyCar Series Drivers point standings. Winner also receives a $50,000 bonus. The Rookie of the Year Award is based on points for the IndyCar Series Drivers' Championship earned at each event.
| Season | Driver | Driver standings | Wins | Team | Chassis | Engine | Tyres |
| 1996–97 | Jim Guthrie | 12 | 1 | Blueprint Racing | Lola T93/00 Dallara IR7 | Menard V6 Buick V6 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | Firestone |
| 1998 | Robby Unser | 16 | | Cheever Racing | G-Force GF01B Dallara IR8 | Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | Goodyear |
| 1999 | Scott Harrington | 14 | | Harrington Motorsports | Dallara IR9 | Infiniti VRH35ADE V8 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | Firestone |
| 2000 | Airton Daré | 16 | | TeamXtreme | G-Force GF05 | Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | Firestone |
| 2001 | Felipe Giaffone | 6 | | Treadway Racing | G-Force GF05B | Oldsmobile Aurora V8 | Firestone |
| 2002 | Laurent Rédon | 12 | | Conquest Racing | Dallara IR-02 | Infiniti VRH35ADE V8 | Firestone |
| 2003 | Dan Wheldon | 11 | | Andretti Green Racing | Dallara IR-03 | Honda HI3R V8 | Firestone |
| 2004 | Kosuke Matsuura | 14 | | Fernández Racing | G-Force GF09B | Honda HI4R V8 | Firestone |
| 2005 | Danica Patrick | 12 | | Rahal Letterman Racing | Panoz GF09C | Honda HI5R V8 | Firestone |
| 2006 | Marco Andretti | 7 | 1 | Andretti Green Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda HI6R V8 | Firestone |
| 2007 | Ryan Hunter-Reay | 19 | | Rahal Letterman Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda HI7R V8 | Firestone |
| 2008 | Hideki Mutoh | 10 | | Andretti Green Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda HI7R V8 | Firestone |
| 2009 | Raphael Matos | 13 | | Luczo-Dragon Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda HI7R V8 | Firestone |
| 2010 | Alex Lloyd | 16 | | Dale Coyne Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda HI7R V8 | Firestone |
| 2011 | James Hinchcliffe | 12 | | Newman/Haas Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda HI7R V8 | Firestone |
| 2012 | Simon Pagenaud | 5 | | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | Dallara DW12 | Honda HI12TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2013 | Tristan Vautier | 20 | | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | Dallara DW12 | Honda HI13TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2014 | Carlos Muñoz | 8 | | Andretti Autosport | Dallara DW12 | Honda HI14TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2015 | Gabby Chaves | 15 | | Bryan Herta Autosport | Dallara DW12 | Honda HI15TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2016 | Alexander Rossi | 11 | 1 | Bryan Herta Autosport | Dallara DW12 | Honda HI16TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2017 | Ed Jones | 14 | | Dale Coyne Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda HI17TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2018 | Robert Wickens | 11 | | Schmidt Peterson Motorsports | Dallara IR-18 | Honda HI18TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2019 | Felix Rosenqvist | 6 | | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-18 | Honda HI19TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2020 | Rinus VeeKay | 14 | | Ed Carpenter Racing | Dallara IR-18 | Chevrolet IndyCar V6t | Firestone |
| 2021 | Scott McLaughlin | 14 | | Team Penske | Dallara IR-18 | Chevrolet IndyCar V6t | Firestone |
| 2022 | Christian Lundgaard | 14 | | Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Dallara IR-18 | Honda HI22TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2023 | Marcus Armstrong | 20 | | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-18 | Honda HI23TT V6t | Firestone |
| 2024 | Linus Lundqvist | 16* | | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-18 | Honda HI24TT V6t | Firestone |