Historical stats review: Coming from way back

Second in a series looking at historical Indy car statistical categories

Since 1946, 11 drivers have won an oval or road/street course race after starting 20th or lower on the grid.

Scott Dixon, who in 2015 will compete in his 14th consecutive with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, is the lone competitor on the list twice. Dixon, a CART rookie in 2001, earned his first victory after starting 23rd in the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix at Nazareth Raceway on May 6. On Aug. 3, 2014, Dixon started 22nd (last) at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and charged to victory.

Since 1946, there have been 20 road/street course races in which the winner started 11th or worse. Five came in the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season:

• Mike Conway – Long Beach (started 17th)
• Will Power – Belle Isle Race 1 (started 16th)
• Carlos Huertas – Houston Race 1 (started 19th)
• Mike Conway – Toronto Race 2 (started 11th)
• Scott Dixon – Mid-Ohio (started 22nd)

Conway and Michael Andretti are the only drivers on the all-time list to do it twice in the same season: Andretti -- 2001 Long Beach (started 15th) and Toronto (started 13th).

Helio Castroneves, who started 28th in the 2008 season finale at Chicagoland Speedway, holds the record for winning from the furthest back. Buddy Lazier (starting 26th at Phoenix International Raceway) in 2000 is second. He won the Indy Racing League championship that season.

Click to Download (PDF):
Wins from the Furthest Starting Position (1946 to 2014)

** 2014 Season