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Through 2010
| Year | Speedway Prizes | Designated Prizes Contingency Awards Other Prizes | Lap Prizes | Total Prizes | Winner's Prizes |
| 1911 | $25,100 | $2,450 | None | $27,550 | $14,250 |
| 1912 | $50,000 | $5,225 | None | $55,225 | $20,000 |
| 1913 | $50,000 | $5,875 | None | $55,876 | $20,000 |
| 1914 | $50,000 | $1,675 | None | $51,675 | $20,000 |
| 1915 | $50,000 | $1,200 | None | $51,200 | $20,000 |
| 1916 | $30,000 | $1,350 | None | $31,350 | $12,000 |
| 1919 | $50,000 | $5,275 | None | $55,275 | $20,000 |
| 1920 | $50,000 | $23,550 | $20,000 | $93,550 | $36,300 |
| 1921 | $50,000 | $19,300 | $17,350 | $86,650 | $36,000 |
| 1922 | $50,000 | $12,550 | $8,025 | $70,575 | $33,700 |
| 1923 | $50,000 | $21,325 | $12,100 | $83,425 | $28,500 |
| 1924 | $60,000 | $20,600 | $6,250 | $86,850 | $20,500 |
| 1925 | $60,000 | $12,750 | $15,000 | $87,750 | $27,800 |
| 1926 | $60,000 | $12,100 | $16,000 | $88,100 | $29,500 |
| 1927 | $60,000 | $9,850 | $20,000 | $89,850 | $25,100 |
| 1928 | $60,000 | $15,750 | $15,000 | $90,750 | $28,500 |
| 1929 | $60,000 | $15,150 | $20,000 | $95,150 | $24,600 |
| 1930 | $60,000 | $27,600 | $17,000 | $97,600 | $36,900 |
| 1931 | $60,000 | $10,650 | $11,150 | $81,800 | $29,500 |
| 1932 | $70,000 | $13,200 | $10,700 | $93,900 | $32,050 |
| 1933 | $40,200 | $11,100 | $3,150 | $54,450 | $18,000 |
| 1934 | $60,000 | $19,550 | $4,225 | $83,775 | $29,075 |
| 1935 | $60,000 | $14,450 | $4,150 | $78,575 | $30,600 |
| 1936 | $60,000 | $17,025 | $5,500 | $82,525 | $31,300 |
| 1937 | $60,000 | $23,635 | $8,500 | $92,135 | $35,075 |
| 1938 | $63,100 | $21,875 | $6,100 | $91,075 | $31,950 |
| 1939 | $63,100 | $17,550 | $6,400 | $87,050 | $27,375 |
| 1940 | $63,100 | $14,825 | $7,600 | $85,525 | $31,875 |
| 1941 | $63,100 | $18,425 | $9,400 | $90,925 | $29,735 |
| 1946 | $75,350 | $20,100 | ($100 per lap) $20,000 | $115,450 | $42,550 |
| 1947 | $98,350 | $19,075 | $20,000 | $137,425 | $31,450 |
| 1948 | $123,900 | $27,175 | $20,000 | $171,075 | $42,800 |
| 1949 | $136,300 | $22,750 | $20,000 | $179,050 | $51,575 |
| 1950 | $154,900 | $26,125 | $20,000 | $210,135 | $57,458 |
| 1951 | $154,700 | $32,950 | $20,000 | $207,650 | $63,612 |
| 1952 | $169,300 | $40,800 | $20,000 | $230,100 | $61,743 |
| 1953 | $176,900 | $39,400 | ($150 per lap) $30,000 | $246,300 | $89,496 |
| 1954 | $199,200 | $40,175 | $30,000 | $269,375 | $74,934 |
| 1955 | $199,900 | $40,500 | $30,000 | $270,400 | $76,138 |
| 1956 | $205,002 | $47,050 | $30,000 | $282,052 | $93,819 |
| 1957 | $218,052 | $52,200 | $30,000 | $300,252 | $103,844 |
| 1958 | $221,667 | $53,550 | $30,000 | $305,217 | $111,327 |
| 1959 | $250,500 | $57,500 | $30,000 | $338,100 | $106,850 |
| 1960 | $274,850 | $64,300 | $30,000 | $369,150 | $110,000 |
| 1961 | $301,675 | $68,325 | $30,000 | $400,000 | $117,975 |
| 1962 | $320,428 | $75,724 | $30,000 | $426,152 | $125,015 |
| 1963 | $382,300 | $81,731 | $30,000 | $494,031 | $148,513 |
| 1964 | $397,150 | $79,475 | $30,000 | $506,625 | $153,650 |
| 1965 | $500,493 | $97,906 | $30,000 | $628,399 | $166,621 |
| 1966 | $545,293 | $116,516 | $30,000 | $691,809 | $156,297 |
| 1967 | $566,016 | $128,818 | (1st place: $150 per lap) $40,000 (2nd place: $50 per lap) | $734,834 | $171,527 |
| 1968 | $562,059 | $110,210 | ($200 per lap) $40,000 | $712,269 | $175,140 |
| 1969 | $614,147 | $150,980 | $40,000 | $805,127 | $206,727 |
| 1970 | $754,407 | $205,595 | $40,000 | $1,000,002 | $271,698 |
| 1971 | $787,700 | $173,904 | $40,000 | $1,001,604 | $238,454 |
| 1972 | $831,000 | $140,845 | $40,000 | $1,011,845 | $218,768 |
| 1973 | $829,200 | $136,905 | $40,000 | $1,006,105 | $236,023 |
| 1974 | $817,500 | $158,186 | $40,000 | $1,015,886 | $245,031 |
| 1975 | $839,500 | $121,821 | $40,000 | $1,001,321 | $214,032 |
| 1976 | $851,500 | $147,276 | $40,000 | $1,038,776 | $255,321 |
| 1977 | $864,800 | $212,007 | $40,000 | $1,116,807 | $259,791 |
| 1978 | $873,250 | $231,975 | $40,000 | $1,145,225 | $290,364 |
| 1979 | $1,009,154 | $212,800 | ($250 per lap) $50,000 | $1,271,954 | $270,401 |
| 1980 | $1,186,700 | $266,525 | $50,000 | $1,503,225 | $318,820 |
| 1981 | $1,280,200 | $279,175 | $50,000 | $1,609,275 | $299,124 |
| 1982 | $1,643,000 | $374,475 | $50,000 | $2,067,475 | $290,609 |
| 1983 | $1,810,500 | $550,950 | $50,000 | $2,411,450 | $385,886 |
| 1984 | $2,109,499 | $636,400 | $50,000 | $2,795,899 | $434,061 |
| 1985 | $2,436,500 | $744,525 | ($450 per lap) $90,000 | $3,271,025 | $517,663 |
| 1986 | $3,058,550 | $852,900 | $90,000 | $4,001,450 | $581,062 |
| 1987 | $3,510,000 | $890,375 | $90,000 | $4,490,375 | $526,763 |
| 1988 | $4,009,000 | $917,900 | $90,000 | $5,016,900 | $804,853 |
| 1989 | $4,510,000 | $1,113,725 | $90,000 | $5,713,725 | $1,001,604 |
| 1990 | $5,000,003 | $1,235,800 | $90,000 | $6,325,803 | $1,090,940 |
| 1991 | $5,515,500 | $1,403,650 | $90,000 | $7,009,150 | $1,219,704 |
| 1992 | $6,075,200 | $1,362,250 | $90,000 | $7,527,450 | $1,244,184 |
| Year | Speedway Prizes | Designated Prizes Contingency Awards Other Prizes | Citizens Speedway Committee | Total Prizes | Winner's Prizes | |
| Lap Prizes | Parade | |||||
| 1993 | $6,150,200 | $1,431,100 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (33 at $303 each) | $7,681,300 | $1,155,304 |
| 1994 | $6,255,000 | $1,509,800 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (16 at $313 each) (16 at $312 each) | $7,864,820 | $1,373,813 |
| 1995 | $6,395,000 | $1,568,550 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (est.) | $8,063,550 | $1,321,019 |
| 1996 | $6,500,100 | $1,514,500 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (est.) | $8,114,600 | $1,367,854 |
| 1997 | $6,750,000 | $1,792,250 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,200 (34 at $300 each) | $8,642,450 | $1,568,150 |
| 1998 | $7,100,000 | $1,522,250 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $9,900 (33 at $300 each) | $8,722,150 | $1,433,000 |
| 1999 | $7,400,000 | $1,557,150 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $9,900 (33 at $300 each) | $9,047,150 | $1,465,190 |
| 2000 | $7,700,000 | $1,676,500 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,005 (29 at $345 each) | $9,476,505 | $1,235,690 |
| 2001 | $8,300,000 | $1,310,325 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,075 (31 at $325 each) | $9,610,325 | $1,210,250 |
| 2002 | $8,650,000 | $1,278,500 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,080 (32 at $315 each) | $10,028,580 | $1,606,215 |
| 2003 | $9,000,000 | $1,151,830 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,080 (32 at $315 each) | $10,151,830 | $1,353,265 |
| 2004 | $9,250,000 | $1,000,580 | $90,000 (180 laps; $500 per lap) $90,000 | $10,000 (est.) | $10,250,580 | $1,761,740 |
| 2005 | $9,400,000 | $904,815 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,065 (33 at $305 each) | $10,304,815 | $1,537,805 |
| 2006 | $9,500,000 | $1,018,565 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (est.) | $10,518,565 | $1,744,855 |
| 2007 | $9,750,000 | $918,815 | $90,000 (166 laps; $542 per lap) | $10,065 (33 at $305 each) | $10,668,815 | $1,645,233 |
| 2008 | $13,540,000 | $866,580 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,080 (33 at $315 each) | $14,406,580 | $2,988,065 |
| 2009 | $13,360,000 | $955,315 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (est.) | $14,315,315 | $3,048,005 |
| 2010 | $90,000 ($450 per lap) | $10,000 (est.) | $13,592,815 | $2,752,055 | ||
Lap Prize Money Notes
As of 2010, the lap prize fund totals $100,000. The driver who leads each individual lap is awarded a cash prize funded by a donation/sponsorship program. Each donor contributes $500 per lap they sponsor. Donors receive race tickets, pit passes, and their name or company name is published in the official race program. As of 2009, the cash prize awarded to the leading drivers is $450 per lap; the lap-leading prizes therefore total $90,000. The remaining money is divided equally among the drivers in the starting field who willingly participate in the 500 Festival Parade held in downtown Indianapolis the day before the race.
Through 2010
| # | Fin | Driver | Purse | Year |
| 1 | 1st | Helio Castroneves | $3,048,005 | 2009 |
| 2 | 1st | Scott Dixon | $2,988,065 | 2008 |
| 3 | 1st | Dario Franchitti | $2,752,055 | 2010 |
| 4 | 1st | Buddy Rice | $1,761,740 | 2004 |
| 5 | 1st | Sam Hornish, Jr. | $1,744,855 | 2006 |
| 6 | 1st | Dario Franchitti | $1,645,233 | 2007 |
| 7 | 1st | Helio Castroneves | $1,606,215 | 2002 |
| 8 | 1st | Arie Luyendyk | $1,553,650 | 1997 |
| 9 | 1st | Dan Wheldon | $1,537,805 | 2005 |
| 10 | 1st | Kenny Brack | $1,465,190 | 1999 |
| 11 | 1st | Eddie Cheever, Jr. | $1,433,000 | 1998 |
| 12 | 1st | Al Unser, Jr. | $1,373,813 | 1994 |
| 13 | 1st | Buddy Lazier | $1,367,854 | 1996 |
| 14 | 1st | Gil de Ferran | $1,353,265 | 2003 |
| 15 | 1st | Jacques Villeneuve | $1,321,019 | 1995 |
| 16 | 2nd | Vitor Meira | $1,273,215 | 2008 |
| 17 | 1st | Helio Castroneves | $1,270,475 | 2001 |
| 18 | 2nd | Dan Wheldon | $1,258,805 | 2009 |
| 19 | 1st | Al Unser, Jr. | $1,244,184 | 1992 |
| 20 | 1st | Juan Montoya | $1,235,690 | 2000 |
| 21 | 1st | Rick Mears | $1,219,704 | 1991 |
| 22 | 1st | Emerson Fittipaldi | $1,155,304 | 1993 |
| 23 | 1st | Arie Luyendyk | $1,090,940 | 1990 |
| 24 | 2nd | Dan Wheldon | $1,010,805 | 2010 |
| 25 | 1st | Emerson Fittipaldi | $1,001,604 | 1989 |
| 26 | 1st | Rick Mears | $804,853 | 1988 |
| 27 | 3rd | Marco Andretti | $782,065 | 2008 |
| 28 | 3rd | Danica Patrick | $763,305 | 2009 |
| 29 | 2nd | Helio Castroneves | $739,665 | 2003 |
| 30 | 2nd | Scott Dixon | $719,067 | 2007 |
| 31 | 2nd | Marco Andretti | $698,505 | 2006 |
| 32 | 2nd | Arie Luyendyk | $681,303 | 1993 |
| 33 | 2nd | Tony Kanaan | $659,240 | 2004 |
| 34 | 2nd | Vitor Meira | $656,955 | 2005 |
| 35 | 3rd | Helio Castroneves | $646,303 | 2007 |
| 36 | 2nd | Davy Jones | $632,503 | 1996 |
| 37 | 3rd | Marco Andretti | $631,505 | 2010 |
| 38 | 2nd | Jacques Villeneuve | $622,713 | 1994 |
| 39 | 2nd | Scott Goodyear | $609,333 | 1992 |
| 40 | 2nd | Michael Andretti | $607,753 | 1991 |
| 41 | 2nd | Christian Fittipaldi | $594,668 | 1995 |
| 42 | 3rd | Emerson Fittipaldi | $592,874 | 1990 |
| 43 | 2nd | Jeff Ward | $583,150 | 1999 |
| 44 | 1st | Bobby Rahal | $581,062 | 1986 |
| 45 | 2nd | Buddy Lazier | $567,100 | 2000 |
| 46 | 4th | Dan Wheldon | $566,405 | 2006 |
| 47 | 2nd | Scott Goodyear | $547,150 | 1997 |
| 48 | 9th | Helio Castroneves | $545,655 | 2010 |
| 49 | 2nd | Dan Wheldon | $533,040 | 2004 |
| 50 | 1st | Al Unser, Sr. | $526,763 | 1987 |