# List of American open-wheel racing national champions

American open-wheel car racing is the highest form of professional formula racing for open-wheel single-seater cars in North America. The sport was administered by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in 1905 until 1955 when the United States Auto Club (USAC) ran open-wheel racing starting from 1956 after the AAA dissolved its Contest Board in the wake of the 1955 Le Mans disaster and the fatal accident of driver Bill Vukovich. USAC remained the sole governing body until 1979 when a group of disenchanted race team owners established the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) series, which would later become the dominant American open wheel series by 1982. Despite this however, USAC would still sanction the Indy 500 until 1997, and would hold races outside the Indy 500 under the USAC Gold Crown championship from the 1981-82 season until the 1983-84 season, after which the USAC Gold Crown would consist of only the Indy 500 from the 1984-85 season until the 1994-95 season when the USAC Gold Crown was discontinued following the formation of the IRL as USAC would sanction the IRL until they were removed from their position by the IRL following a scoring error at the 1997 True Value 500. After which they would not sanction any American Open-wheel races again. As a result the Indy 500 winner was also the USAC Gold Crown champion during those seasons. A disagreement between CART and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George resulted in the establishment of the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 1996 and the series rivalled CART before the latter went bankrupt in 2003 and was renamed the Champ Car World Series (CCWS) in 2004. The CCWS and the IRL merged in February 2008 to unify American open-wheel car racing and the merged body has run the sport under the IndyCar Series name since then.
The season consists of a series of races held variously on permanent road courses, closed city streets and oval tracks, usually in the United States and in a few cases abroad. The Drivers' Championship is presented to the most successful open-wheel driver over the course of the season through a points system based on individual race results. The Drivers' Championship is won when it is no longer mathematically possible for another competitor to overtake their points total regardless of the outcome of the remaining races, although is not officially awarded until the Victory Lap Celebration banquet that takes place after the season has ended. The winning driver and team owner are presented with a replica of the sterling silver Astor Cup and the driver's name is laser-etched into three black granite bases that support the permanent trophy on display in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
As of 2024, 67 drivers from 11 different countries have won a national American open-wheel championship. The first national American open-wheel champion was Barney Oldfield in the 1905 AAA Championship Car season, and the current national title holder is Álex Palou in the 2024 IndyCar Series. A. J. Foyt holds the record for the most Drivers' Championships, having won the title on seven occasions. Scott Dixon is second with six titles, and Mario Andretti, Sébastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti are joint third with four titles each. Bourdais also holds the record for the most consecutive Drivers' Championships with four CCWS championships won between the 2004 and 2007 seasons, which is also the record for the most overall CART/CCWS titles. Louis Meyer and Ted Horn hold the record for the most AAA titles, having won the sanctioning body's championship three times. Foyt was the most successful competitor of the USAC era with seven series titles. Dixon is the most successful driver in the IndyCar Series with six series championships.As of 2024 Nigel Mansell remains the only driver to simultaneously hold both the Formula 1 World Championship and CART/IndyCar Championship doing so in 1993.

## Key

Series abbreviations :
| AAA | American Automobile Association |
| CART | Championship Auto Racing Teams |
| CCWS | Champ Car World Series |
| INDY | IndyCar Series |
| IRL | Indy Racing League |
| USAC | United States Auto Club |
Tyre manufacturers :
| Symbol | Tyre manufacturer |
| B | Bridgestone |
| G | Goodyear |
| F | Firestone |
Key :
| * | Driver is not recognized as a national champion |

## By season

Drivers' Champions by season :
| Season | Series | Driver | Team | Car | Car | Tire | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Points | Margin | % Margin |
| Season | Series | Driver | Team | Chassis | Engine | Tire | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Points | Margin | % Margin |
| 1905 | AAA | Barney Oldfield (USA) | Peerless | Peerless | Peerless | N/A | 3 | 6 | 7 | 26 | 13 | 50.0000 |
| 1906–1915 | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | Not held | |
| 1916 | AAA | Dario Resta (GBR) | Peugeot Auto Import | Peugeot | Peugeot | N/A | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4100 | 660 | 16.0976 |
| 1917–1919 | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | Not held because of World War I | |
| 1920 | AAA | Gaston Chevrolet (USA) | William Small Company | Frontenac | Frontenac | N/A | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1030 | 100 | 9.7087 |
| 1921 | AAA | Tommy Milton (USA) | Louis Chevrolet | Frontenac | Frontenac | N/A | 2 | 3 | 10 | 2230 | 250 | 11.2108 |
| 1921 | AAA | Tommy Milton (USA) | Cliff Durant | Miller | Miller | N/A | 2 | 3 | 10 | 2230 | 250 | 11.2108 |
| 1921 | AAA | Tommy Milton (USA) | Edward A Hearne | Duesenberg | Duesenberg | N/A | 2 | 3 | 10 | 2230 | 250 | 11.2108 |
| 1922 | AAA | Jimmy Murphy (USA) | Duesenberg Bros | Duesenberg | Duesenberg | N/A | 5 | 7 | 14 | 3420 | 1510 | 44.1520 |
| 1922 | AAA | Jimmy Murphy (USA) | Jimmy Murphy | Duesenberg | Miller | N/A | 5 | 7 | 14 | 3420 | 1510 | 44.1520 |
| 1922 | AAA | Jimmy Murphy (USA) | Cliff Durant | Miller | Miller | N/A | 5 | 7 | 14 | 3420 | 1510 | 44.1520 |
| 1923 | AAA | Eddie Hearne (USA) | Cliff Durant | Miller | Miller | N/A | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1882 | 532 | 28.2678 |
| 1924 | AAA | Jimmy Murphy (USA) | Jimmy Murphy | Miller | Miller | N/A | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1595 | 355 | 22.2571 |
| 1925 | AAA | Pete DePaolo (USA) | Duesenberg Bros | Duesenberg | Duesenberg | N/A | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3260 | 1515 | 46.4724 |
| 1926 | AAA | Harry Hartz (USA) | Harry Hartz | Miller | Miller | N/A | 3 | 5 | 15 | 2954 | 1124 | 38.0501 |
| 1927 | AAA | Pete DePaolo (USA) | Pete DePaolo | Miller FD | Miller | N/A | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1440 | 400 | 27.7778 |
| 1927 | AAA | Pete DePaolo (USA) | Cooper Engineering Company | Cooper | Miller | N/A | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1440 | 400 | 27.7778 |
| 1927 | AAA | Pete DePaolo (USA) | Anthony Gulotta | Miller | Miller | N/A | 0 | 3 | 9 | 1440 | 400 | 27.7778 |
| 1928 | AAA | Louis Meyer (USA) | Alden Sampson II | Miller | Miller | N/A | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1596 | 681 | 42.6692 |
| 1928 | AAA | Louis Meyer (USA) | JR Burgamy | Miller | Miller | N/A | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1596 | 681 | 42.6692 |
| 1929 | AAA | Louis Meyer (USA) | Alden Sampson II | Miller | Miller | N/A | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1330 | 330 | 24.8120 |
| 1930 | AAA | Billy Arnold (USA) | Harry Hartz | Summers FD | Miller | N/A | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1027.5 | 374.5 | 36.4477 |
| 1930 | AAA | Billy Arnold (USA) | Thomas J Mulligan | Ford T | Fronty Ford | N/A | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1027.5 | 374.5 | 36.4477 |
| 1930 | AAA | Billy Arnold (USA) | Peter de Paolo | Duesenberg | Duesenberg | N/A | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1027.5 | 374.5 | 36.4477 |
| 1930 | AAA | Billy Arnold (USA) | Louis F Schneider | Stevens | Miller | N/A | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1027.5 | 374.5 | 36.4477 |
| 1931 | AAA | Louis Schneider (USA) | B. L. Schneider | Stevens | Miller | N/A | 0 | 1 | 1 | 712.5 | 172.5 | 24.2105 |
| 1932 | AAA | Bob Carey (USA) | Louis Meyer | Stevens | Miller | N/A | 1 | 2 | 3 | 815 | 105 | 12.8834 |
| 1933 | AAA | Louis Meyer (USA) | Louis Meyer | Miller | Miller | N/A | 0 | 1 | 1 | 610 | 80 | 13.1148 |
| 1934 | AAA | Bill Cummings (USA) | H. C. Henning | Miller FD | Miller | N/A | 2 | 1 | 1 | 681.7 | 151.7 | 22.2532 |
| 1934 | AAA | Bill Cummings (USA) | Peter de Paolo | Duesenberg | Miller | N/A | 2 | 1 | 1 | 681.7 | 151.7 | 22.2532 |
| 1935 | AAA | Kelly Petillo (USA) | Kelly Petillo | Wetteroth | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 3 | 3 | 890 | 260 | 29.2135 |
| 1936 | AAA | Mauri Rose (USA) | Four Wheel Drive Auto Company | Miller 4D | Miller | F | 0 | 1 | 1 | 610 | 11 | 1.8033 |
| 1936 | AAA | Mauri Rose (USA) | Lou Moore | Miller | Offenhauser | F | 0 | 1 | 1 | 610 | 11 | 1.8033 |
| 1937 | AAA | Wilbur Shaw (USA) | Wilbur Shaw | Shaw | Offenhauser | F | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1135 | 385 | 33.9207 |
| 1937 | AAA | Wilbur Shaw (USA) | Enzo Fiermonte | Maserati V8RI | Maserati | N/A | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1135 | 385 | 33.9207 |
| 1938 | AAA | Floyd Roberts (USA) | Lou Moore | Wetteroth | Miller | F | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 175 | 17.5000 |
| 1939 | AAA | Wilbur Shaw (USA) | Boyle Racing Headquarters | Maserati 8CTF | Maserati | F | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 175 | 17.5000 |
| 1940 | AAA | Rex Mays (USA) | Bowes Racing | Stevens | Winfield | N/A | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1225 | 225 | 18.3673 |
| 1941 | AAA | Rex Mays (USA) | Bowes Racing | Stevens | Winfield | N/A | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1225 | 550 | 44.8980 |
| 1942–1945 | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | Not held because of World War II | |
| 1946 | AAA | Ted Horn (USA) | Boyle Racing Headquarters | Maserati 8CTF | Maserati | F | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1360 | 100 | 7.3529 |
| 1946 | AAA | Ted Horn (USA) | Fred A Peters | Wetteroth | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1360 | 100 | 7.3529 |
| 1947 | AAA | Ted Horn (USA) | HC Henning | Maserati 8CTF | Maserati | F | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1920 | 310 | 16.1458 |
| 1947 | AAA | Ted Horn (USA) | Ted Horn Enterprises | Horn | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1920 | 310 | 16.1458 |
| 1948 | AAA | Ted Horn (USA) | HC Henning | Maserati 8CTF | Maserati | F | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1880 | 721 | 38.3511 |
| 1948 | AAA | Ted Horn (USA) | Ted Horn Enterprises | Horn | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1880 | 721 | 38.3511 |
| 1949 | AAA | Johnnie Parsons (USA) | Kurtis Kraft | Kurtis | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 5 | 7 | 2280 | 490 | 21.4912 |
| 1950 | AAA | Henry Banks (USA) | Indianapolis Race Cars | Maserati | Offenhauser | F | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1390 | 73 | 5.2518 |
| 1950 | AAA | Henry Banks (USA) | Lou Moore | Moore | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1390 | 73 | 5.2518 |
| 1951 | AAA | Tony Bettenhausen (USA) | Rotary Engineering | Diedt FD | Offenhauser | F | 4 | 8 | 10 | 2556 | 699.4 | 27.3631 |
| 1951 | AAA | Tony Bettenhausen (USA) | Murrell Belanger | Kurtis | Offenhauser | N/A | 4 | 8 | 10 | 2556 | 699.4 | 27.3631 |
| 1952 | AAA | Chuck Stevenson (USA) | Bessie Lee Paoli | Kurtis KK4000 | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1440 | 30 | 2.0833 |
| 1953 | AAA | Sam Hanks (USA) | Ed Walsh | Kurtis KK4000 | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1659.5 | 409.5 | 24.6761 |
| 1953 | AAA | Sam Hanks (USA) | Lindsey Hopkins Racing | Kurtis KK4000 | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1659.5 | 409.5 | 24.6761 |
| 1954 | AAA | Jimmy Bryan (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Kuzma | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 5 | 9 | 2630 | 1,340 | 50.9506 |
| 1955 | AAA | Bob Sweikert (USA) | John Zink | Kurtis KK500D | Offenhauser | F | 4 | 2 | 7 | 2290 | 810 | 35.3712 |
| 1955 | AAA | Bob Sweikert (USA) | John Zink | Watson | Offenhauser | N/A | 4 | 2 | 7 | 2290 | 810 | 35.3712 |
| 1956 | USAC | Jimmy Bryan (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Kuzma | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1860 | 360 | 19.3548 |
| 1957 | USAC | Jimmy Bryan (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Kuzma | Offenhauser | N/A | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1650 | 180 | 10.9091 |
| 1958 | USAC | Tony Bettenhausen (USA) | Wiggers/Wright Racing | Kurtis KK4000 | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1830 | 190 | 10.3825 |
| 1958 | USAC | Tony Bettenhausen (USA) | Wiggers/Wright Racing | Epperly | Offenhauser | F | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1830 | 190 | 10.3825 |
| 1958 | USAC | Tony Bettenhausen (USA) | John Zink Racing | Watson | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1830 | 190 | 10.3825 |
| 1959 | USAC | Rodger Ward (USA) | Leader Card Racers | Watson | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 4 | 8 | 2400 | 970 | 40.4167 |
| 1960 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Bignotti-Bowes Racing | Kurtis | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1680 | 290 | 17.2619 |
| 1960 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Bignotti-Bowes Racing | Meskowski | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1680 | 290 | 17.2619 |
| 1961 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Bignotti-Bowes Racing | Kurtis | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2150 | 390 | 18.1395 |
| 1961 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Bignotti-Bowes Racing | Trevis | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2150 | 390 | 18.1395 |
| 1961 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Bignotti-Bowes Racing | Meskowski | Offenhauser | N/A | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2150 | 390 | 18.1395 |
| 1962 | USAC | Rodger Ward (USA) | Leader Card Racers | Watson | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 4 | 5 | 2460 | 510 | 20.7317 |
| 1963 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Ansted-Thompson Racing | Meskowski | Offenhauser | N/A | 2 | 5 | 10 | 2950 | 740 | 25.0847 |
| 1963 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Ansted-Thompson Racing | Trevis | Offenhauser | N/A | 2 | 5 | 10 | 2950 | 740 | 25.0847 |
| 1964 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Ansted-Thompson Racing | Watson | Offenhauser | N/A | 2 | 10 | 10 | 2900 | 772 | 26.6207 |
| 1964 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Ansted-Thompson Racing | Lotus RE | Ford | N/A | 2 | 10 | 10 | 2900 | 772 | 26.6207 |
| 1964 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Ansted-Thompson Racing | Meskowski | Offenhauser | N/A | 2 | 10 | 10 | 2900 | 772 | 26.6207 |
| 1964 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Ansted-Thompson Racing | Hailbrand | Offenhauser | N/A | 2 | 10 | 10 | 2900 | 772 | 26.6207 |
| 1965 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Blum | Offenhauser | N/A | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3110 | 610 | 19.6141 |
| 1965 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Brawner Hawk I | Ford | N/A | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3110 | 610 | 19.6141 |
| 1965 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Kuzma | Offenhauser | N/A | 3 | 1 | 10 | 3110 | 610 | 19.6141 |
| 1966 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Brawner Hawk I | Ford | N/A | 9 | 8 | 9 | 3070 | 640 | 20.8469 |
| 1966 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | Dean Van Lines Racing | Kuzma | Offenhauser | N/A | 9 | 8 | 9 | 3070 | 640 | 20.8469 |
| 1966 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | Jim Robbins | Vollstedt | Ford | N/A | 9 | 8 | 9 | 3070 | 640 | 20.8469 |
| 1967 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Lotus | Ford | N/A | 0 | 5 | 8 | 3440 | 80 | 2.3256 |
| 1967 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Coyote | Ford | N/A | 0 | 5 | 8 | 3440 | 80 | 2.3256 |
| 1967 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Eagle | Ford | N/A | 0 | 5 | 8 | 3440 | 80 | 2.3256 |
| 1967 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Meskowski | Offenhauser | N/A | 0 | 5 | 8 | 3440 | 80 | 2.3256 |
| 1968 | USAC | Bobby Unser (USA) | Leader Card Racers | Eagle | Offenhauser | N/A | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4330 | 11 | 0.2540 |
| 1968 | USAC | Bobby Unser (USA) | Leader Card Racers | Eagle | Ford | N/A | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4330 | 11 | 0.2540 |
| 1968 | USAC | Bobby Unser (USA) | Leader Card Racers | Coyote | Ford | N/A | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4330 | 11 | 0.2540 |
| 1968 | USAC | Bobby Unser (USA) | Leader Card Racers | Watson | Offenhauser | N/A | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4330 | 11 | 0.2540 |
| 1968 | USAC | Bobby Unser (USA) | Bobby Unser | Unser | Chevrolet | N/A | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4330 | 11 | 0.2540 |
| 1969 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | STP Corporation | Brawner Hawk Mk III | Ford | N/A | 5 | 9 | 13 | 5055 | 2425 | 47.9723 |
| 1969 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | STP Corporation | King | Chevrolet | N/A | 5 | 9 | 13 | 5055 | 2425 | 47.9723 |
| 1969 | USAC | Mario Andretti (USA) | STP Corporation | Kuzma | Offenhauser | N/A | 5 | 9 | 13 | 5055 | 2425 | 47.9723 |
| 1970 | USAC | Al Unser (USA) | Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing | Colt 70 | Ford | N/A | 8 | 10 | 15 | 5130 | 2870 | 55.9454 |
| 1970 | USAC | Al Unser (USA) | Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing | King D | Ford | N/A | 8 | 10 | 15 | 5130 | 2870 | 55.9454 |
| 1971 | USAC | Joe Leonard (USA) | Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing | Colt 70 | Ford | F | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3015 | 695 | 23.0514 |
| 1971 | USAC | Joe Leonard (USA) | Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing | Colt 71 | Ford | F | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3015 | 695 | 23.0514 |
| 1972 | USAC | Joe Leonard (USA) | Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing | Parnelli VPJ1 | Offenhauser | F | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3460 | 1260 | 36.4162 |
| 1973 | USAC | Roger McCluskey (USA) | Lindsey Hopkins Racing | McLaren M16B | Offenhauser | G | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3705 | 1085 | 29.2848 |
| 1974 | USAC | Bobby Unser (USA) | All American Racers | Eagle 74 | Offenhauser | G | 2 | 4 | 10 | 4870 | 1220 | 25.0513 |
| 1975 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Coyote | Ford | G | 7 | 7 | 10 | 4920 | 2020 | 41.0569 |
| 1976 | USAC | Gordon Johncock (USA) | Patrick Racing | Wildcat Mk2 | DGS | G | 1 | 2 | 11 | 4240 | 20 | 0.4717 |
| 1977 | USAC | Tom Sneva (USA) | Penske Racing | McLaren M24 | Ford | G | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3965 | 935 | 23.5813 |
| 1977 | USAC | Tom Sneva (USA) | Penske Racing | McLaren M24 | Offenhauser | G | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3965 | 935 | 23.5813 |
| 1977 | USAC | Tom Sneva (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-5 | Ford | G | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3965 | 935 | 23.5813 |
| 1978 | USAC | Tom Sneva (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-6 | Ford | N/A | 7 | 0 | 10 | 4153 | 122 | 2.9376 |
| 1979 | CART | Rick Mears (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-6 | Ford | G | 2 | 3 | 9 | 4060 | 240 | 5.9113 |
| 1979 | CART | Rick Mears (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-7 | Ford | G | 2 | 3 | 9 | 4060 | 240 | 5.9113 |
| 1979 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Gilmore Racing | Parnelli VPJ6C | Ford | N/A | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3320 | 1550 | 46.6867 |
| 1979 | USAC | A. J. Foyt (USA) | Gilmore Racing | Coyote | Foyt | N/A | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3320 | 1550 | 46.6867 |
| 1980 | CART | Johnny Rutherford (USA) | Chaparral Racing | Chaparral 2K | Ford | G | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4723 | 1009 | 21.3635 |
| 1980 | USAC | Johnny Rutherford (USA) | Chaparral Racing | Chaparral 2K | Ford | G | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2740 | 770 | 28.1022 |
| 1981 | CART | Rick Mears (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-9B | Ford | G | 2 | 6 | 8 | 304 | 129 | 42.4342 |
| 1981–82 | USAC | George Snider (USA)* | Gilmore Racing | Coyote | Ford | N/A | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1395 | 80 | 5.7348 |
| 1981–82 | USAC | George Snider (USA)* | David LeFevre | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1395 | 80 | 5.7348 |
| 1981–82 | USAC | George Snider (USA)* | Fletcher Racing | March 82C | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1395 | 80 | 5.7348 |
| 1982 | CART | Rick Mears (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-10 | Ford | G | 8 | 4 | 6 | 294 | 52 | 17.6871 |
| 1982–83 | USAC | Tom Sneva (USA)* | Bignotti-Cotter Racing | March 83C | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1983 | CART | Al Unser (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-11 | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 6 | 151 | 5 | 3.3113 |
| 1983–84 | USAC | Rick Mears (USA)* | Penske Racing | March 84C | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1984 | CART | Mario Andretti (USA) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola T800 | Ford | G | 8 | 6 | 8 | 176 | 13 | 7.3864 |
| 1985 | USAC | Danny Sullivan (USA)* | Penske Racing | March 85C | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1985 | CART | Al Unser (USA) | Penske Racing | March 85C | Ford | G | 1 | 1 | 6 | 151 | 1 | 0.6623 |
| 1986 | USAC | Bobby Rahal (USA)* | Truesports | March 86C | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1986 | CART | Bobby Rahal (USA) | Truesports | Marchs 86C | Ford | G | 2 | 6 | 8 | 179 | 8 | 4.4693 |
| 1987 | USAC | Al Unser (USA)* | Penske Racing | March 86C | Ford | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1987 | CART | Bobby Rahal (USA) | Truesports | Lola T87/00 | Ford | G | 1 | 3 | 10 | 188 | 30 | 15.9574 |
| 1988 | USAC | Rick Mears (USA)* | Penske Racing | Penske PC-17 | Ilmor | G | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1988 | CART | Danny Sullivan (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-17 | Ilmor | G | 9 | 4 | 7 | 182 | 33 | 18.1319 |
| 1989 | USAC | Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA)* | Patrick Racing | Penske PC-18 | Ilmor | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1989 | CART | Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA) | Patrick Racing | Penske PC-17 | Chevrolet | G | 4 | 5 | 8 | 196 | 10 | 5.1020 |
| 1989 | CART | Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA) | Patrick Racing | Penske PC-18- | Ilmor | G | 4 | 5 | 8 | 196 | 10 | 5.1020 |
| 1990 | USAC | Arie Luyendyk (NED)* | Doug Shierson Racing | Lola T90/00 | Ilmor | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1990 | CART | Al Unser Jr. (USA) | Galles-Kraco Racing | Lola T90/00 | Ilmor | G | 1 | 6 | 10 | 210 | 29 | 13.8095 |
| 1991 | USAC | Rick Mears (USA)* | Penske Racing | Penske PC-20 | Ilmor | G | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1991 | CART | Michael Andretti (USA) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola T91/00 | Ilmor | G | 8 | 8 | 11 | 234 | 34 | 14.5299 |
| 1992 | USAC | Al Unser Jr. (USA)* | Galles-Kraco Racing | Galmer G92 | Ilmor | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1992 | CART | Bobby Rahal (USA) | Rahal-Hogan Racing | Lola T92/00 | Ilmor | G | 3 | 4 | 10 | 196 | 4 | 2.0408 |
| 1993 | USAC | Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA)* | Penske Racing | Penske PC-22 | Ilmor | G | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1993 | CART | Nigel Mansell (GBR) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola T93/00 | Ford XB | G | 7 | 5 | 10 | 191 | 8 | 4.1885 |
| 1994 | USAC | Al Unser Jr. (USA)* | Penske Racing | Penske PC-23 | Mercedes-Benz | G | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1994 | CART | Al Unser Jr. (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-23 | Ilmor | G | 4 | 8 | 11 | 225 | 47 | 20.8889 |
| 1994 | CART | Al Unser Jr. (USA) | Penske Racing | Penske PC-23 | Mercedes-Benz | G | 4 | 8 | 11 | 225 | 47 | 20.8889 |
| 1995 | USAC | Jacques Villeneuve (CAN)* | Team Green | Reynard 95I | Ford XB | G | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1000 | 200 | 20.0000 |
| 1995 | CART | Jacques Villeneuve (CAN) | Team Green | Reynard 95I | Ford XB | G | 6 | 4 | 7 | 172 | 11 | 6.3953 |
| 1996 | IRL | Buzz Calkins (USA) | Bradley Motorsports | Reynard 95I | Ford XB | F | 0 | 1 | 1 | 246 | 0 | 0.0000 |
| 1996 | IRL | Scott Sharp (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Lola T95/00 | Ford XB | G | 0 | 0 | 1 | 246 | 0 | 0.0000 |
| 1996 | IRL | Scott Sharp (USA) | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Lola T94/00 | Ford XB | G | 0 | 0 | 1 | 246 | 0 | 0.0000 |
| 1996 | CART | Jimmy Vasser (USA) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Reynard 96I | Honda | F | 4 | 4 | 5 | 154 | 22 | 14.2857 |
| 1996–97 | IRL | Tony Stewart (USA) | Team Menard | Lola T95/00 | Buick/Menard | F | 4 | 1 | 2 | 278 | 6 | 2.1583 |
| 1996–97 | IRL | Tony Stewart (USA) | Team Menard | G-Force GF01 | Oldsmobile Aurora | F | 4 | 1 | 2 | 278 | 6 | 2.1583 |
| 1997 | CART | Alex Zanardi (ITA) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Reynard 97I | Honda | F | 5 | 4 | 7 | 195 | 33 | 16.9231 |
| 1998 | IRL | Kenny Bräck (SWE) | A. J. Foyt Racing | Dallara IR-7 | Oldsmobile Aurora | G | 0 | 3 | 4 | 332 | 40 | 12.0482 |
| 1998 | CART | Alex Zanardi (ITA) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Reynard 98I | Honda | F | 0 | 7 | 15 | 285 | 116 | 40.7018 |
| 1999 | IRL | Greg Ray (USA) | Team Menard | Dallara IR-7 | Oldsmobile Aurora | F | 4 | 3 | 5 | 293 | 37 | 12.6280 |
| 1999 | CART | Juan Pablo Montoya (COL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Reynard 99I | Honda | F | 7 | 7 | 9 | 212 | 0 | 0.0000 |
| 2000 | IRL | Buddy Lazier (USA) | Hemelgarn Racing | Riley & Scott MkVII | Oldsmobile Aurora | F | 1 | 2 | 5 | 290 | 18 | 6.2069 |
| 2000 | IRL | Buddy Lazier (USA) | Hemelgarn Racing | Dallara IR-00 | Oldsmobile Aurora | F | 1 | 2 | 5 | 290 | 18 | 6.2069 |
| 2000 | CART | Gil de Ferran (BRA) | Team Penske | Reynard 2KI | Honda | F | 5 | 2 | 7 | 168 | 10 | 5.9524 |
| 2001 | IRL | Sam Hornish Jr. (USA) | Panther Racing | Dallara IR-00 | Oldsmobile Aurora | F | 2 | 3 | 10 | 503 | 105 | 20.8748 |
| 2001 | CART | Gil de Ferran (BRA) | Team Penske | Reynard 01I | Honda | F | 4 | 2 | 8 | 199 | 36 | 18.0905 |
| 2002 | IRL | Sam Hornish Jr. (USA) | Panther Racing | Dallara IR-00 | Chevrolet | F | 2 | 5 | 10 | 531 | 20 | 3.7665 |
| 2002 | CART | Cristiano da Matta (BRA) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola B02/00 | Toyota | B | 7 | 7 | 11 | 237 | 73 | 30.8017 |
| 2003 | INDY | Scott Dixon (NZL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | G-Force GF09 | Toyota | F | 5 | 3 | 8 | 507 | 18 | 3.5503 |
| 2003 | CART | Paul Tracy (CAN) | Team Player's | Lola B02/00 | Ford–Cosworth | B | 6 | 7 | 10 | 226 | 27 | 11.9469 |
| 2004 | INDY | Tony Kanaan (BRA) | Andretti Green Racing | Dallara IR-03 | Honda | F | 2 | 3 | 11 | 618 | 85 | 13.7540 |
| 2004 | CCWS | Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola B02/00 | Ford–Cosworth | B | 8 | 7 | 10 | 369 | 28 | 7.5881 |
| 2005 | INDY | Dan Wheldon (GBR) | Andretti Green Racing | Dallara IR-03 | Honda | F | 0 | 6 | 9 | 628 | 80 | 12.7389 |
| 2005 | CCWS | Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola B02/00 | Ford–Cosworth | B | 5 | 6 | 7 | 348 | 60 | 17.2414 |
| 2006 | INDY | Sam Hornish Jr. (USA) | Team Penske | Dallara IR-03 | Honda | F | 4 | 4 | 7 | 475 | 0 | 0.0000 |
| 2006 | CCWS | Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) | Newman/Haas Racing | Lola B02/00 | Ford–Cosworth | B | 7 | 7 | 11 | 387 | 89 | 22.9974 |
| 2007 | INDY | Dario Franchitti (GBR) | Andretti Green Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda | F | 4 | 4 | 11 | 637 | 13 | 2.0408 |
| 2007 | CCWS | Sébastien Bourdais (FRA) | Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing | Panoz DP01 | Cosworth XFE | B | 6 | 8 | 9 | 364 | 81 | 22.2527 |
| 2008 | INDY | Scott Dixon (NZL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda | F | 7 | 6 | 12 | 646 | 17 | 2.6316 |
| 2009 | INDY | Dario Franchitti (GBR) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda | F | 5 | 5 | 9 | 616 | 11 | 1.7857 |
| 2010 | INDY | Dario Franchitti (GBR) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda | F | 2 | 3 | 10 | 602 | 5 | 0.8306 |
| 2011 | INDY | Dario Franchitti (GBR) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara IR-05 | Honda | F | 2 | 4 | 9 | 573 | 18 | 3.1414 |
| 2012 | INDY | Ryan Hunter-Reay (USA) | Andretti Autosport | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 0 | 4 | 6 | 468 | 3 | 0.6410 |
| 2013 | INDY | Scott Dixon (NZL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda | F | 2 | 4 | 6 | 577 | 27 | 4.6794 |
| 2014 | INDY | Will Power (AUS) | Team Penske | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 4 | 3 | 7 | 671 | 62 | 9.2399 |
| 2015 | INDY | Scott Dixon (NZL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 2 | 3 | 4 | 556 | 0 | 0.0000 |
| 2016 | INDY | Simon Pagenaud (FRA) | Team Penske | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 7 | 5 | 8 | 659 | 127 | 19.2716 |
| 2017 | INDY | Josef Newgarden (USA) | Team Penske | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 1 | 4 | 9 | 642 | 13 | 2.0249 |
| 2018 | INDY | Scott Dixon (NZL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda | F | 1 | 3 | 9 | 678 | 57 | 8.4071 |
| 2019 | INDY | Josef Newgarden (USA) | Team Penske | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 2 | 4 | 7 | 641 | 25 | 3.9002 |
| 2020 | INDY | Scott Dixon (NZL) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda | F | 0 | 4 | 7 | 537 | 16 | 2.9795 |
| 2021 | INDY | Álex Palou (ESP) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda | F | 2 | 3 | 8 | 549 | 38 | 6.9217 |
| 2022 | INDY | Will Power (AUS) | Team Penske | Dallara DW12 | Chevrolet | F | 5 | 1 | 9 | 560 | 16 | 2.8571 |
| 2023 | INDY | Álex Palou (ESP) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda | F | 2 | 5 | 10 | 656 | 78 | 11.8902 |
| 2024 | INDY | Álex Palou (ESP) | Chip Ganassi Racing | Dallara DW12 | Honda | F | 3 | 2 | 6 | 544 | 31 | 5.6985 |

## By driver

Key :
| † | Indicates driver won the USAC Gold Crown Championship |
Championship victories by driver :
| Driver | Wins | Years |
| A. J. Foyt | 7 | 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1975, 1979 |
| Scott Dixon | 6 | 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020 |
| Mario Andretti | 4 | 1965, 1966, 1969, 1984 |
| Sébastien Bourdais | 4 | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
| Dario Franchitti | 4 | 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Louis Meyer | 3 | 1928, 1929, 1933 |
| Ted Horn | 3 | 1946, 1947, 1948 |
| Jimmy Bryan | 3 | 1954, 1956, 1957 |
| Rick Mears† | 3 | 1979, 1981, 1982 |
| Al Unser† | 3 | 1970, 1983, 1985 |
| Bobby Rahal† | 3 | 1986, 1987, 1992 |
| Sam Hornish Jr. | 3 | 2001, 2002, 2006 |
| Álex Palou | 3 | 2021, 2023, 2024 |
| Jimmy Murphy | 2 | 1922, 1924 |
| Pete DePaolo | 2 | 1925, 1927 |
| Wilbur Shaw | 2 | 1937, 1939 |
| Rex Mays | 2 | 1940, 1941 |
| Tony Bettenhausen | 2 | 1951, 1958 |
| Rodger Ward | 2 | 1959, 1962 |
| Joe Leonard | 2 | 1971, 1972 |
| Bobby Unser | 2 | 1968, 1974 |
| Tom Sneva | 2 | 1977, 1978 |
| Johnny Rutherford | 2 | 1980, 1980 |
| Al Unser Jr.† | 2 | 1990, 1994 |
| Alex Zanardi | 2 | 1997, 1998 |
| Gil de Ferran | 2 | 2000, 2001 |
| Josef Newgarden | 2 | 2017, 2019 |
| Will Power | 2 | 2014, 2022 |
| Barney Oldfield | 1 | 1905 |
| Dario Resta | 1 | 1916 |
| Gaston Chevrolet | 1 | 1920 |
| Tommy Milton | 1 | 1921 |
| Eddie Hearne | 1 | 1923 |
| Harry Hartz | 1 | 1926 |
| Billy Arnold | 1 | 1930 |
| Louis Schneider | 1 | 1931 |
| Bob Carey | 1 | 1932 |
| Bill Cummings | 1 | 1934 |
| Kelly Petillo | 1 | 1935 |
| Mauri Rose | 1 | 1936 |
| Floyd Roberts | 1 | 1938 |
| Johnnie Parsons | 1 | 1949 |
| Henry Banks | 1 | 1950 |
| Chuck Stevenson | 1 | 1952 |
| Sam Hanks | 1 | 1953 |
| Bob Sweikert | 1 | 1955 |
| Roger McCluskey | 1 | 1973 |
| Gordon Johncock | 1 | 1976 |
| Danny Sullivan | 1 | 1988 |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 1 | 1989 |
| Michael Andretti | 1 | 1991 |
| Nigel Mansell | 1 | 1993 |
| Jacques Villeneuve | 1 | 1995 |
| Buzz Calkins | 1 | 1996 |
| Scott Sharp | 1 | 1996 |
| Jimmy Vasser | 1 | 1996 |
| Tony Stewart | 1 | 1996–97 |
| Kenny Bräck | 1 | 1998 |
| Juan Pablo Montoya | 1 | 1999 |
| Greg Ray | 1 | 1999 |
| Buddy Lazier | 1 | 2000 |
| Cristiano da Matta | 1 | 2002 |
| Paul Tracy | 1 | 2003 |
| Tony Kanaan | 1 | 2004 |
| Dan Wheldon | 1 | 2005 |
| Ryan Hunter-Reay | 1 | 2012 |
| Simon Pagenaud | 1 | 2016 |
Drivers in bold are entered in the 2023 IndyCar Series.

## Records
### Consecutive championships

There have been 16 drivers who have won consecutive National Championships. Only A. J. Foyt has achieved the feat on two separate occasions.
Drivers in bold were entered in the 2024 IndyCar Series.