3 closest Indy 500 finishes in history, ft. Alfred Unser Jr.

The Indy 500 is the marquee event of the IndyCar Series season and is a spectacle to behold. The Indy 500 takes place at the iconic 2.5-mile-long Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Yet, at the end of the 200 laps race, there is sometimes little to separate the drivers. The nature of the circuit allows for powerful drafting, always keeping the lead pack in with a chance for the win. Let's have a look at the top 3 closest Indy 500 finishes.

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#3 Sam Hornish Jr. and Marco Andretti - 2006

NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina - Practice - Source: Getty

Marco Andretti qualified in P9 for the 2006 race. It was the American’s first-ever Indy 500 race. Sam Hornish Jr. was already a two-time IndyCar champion in 2006, but never won the Indy 500. The Team Penske driver qualified on pole but soon lost the lead. Dan Wheldon dominated the race.

However, with the final few laps to go, it was Marco Andretti vs Sam Hornish Jr. vs Michael Andretti for the win. Marco led the race going into the final lap after a failed overtake attempt by Hornish on Lap 199. The Penske driver drafted Andretti Jr. for the entirety of Lap 200 before moving out on the start-finish straight and taking the win by 0.0635 seconds.

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#2 Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castroneves - 2014

Ed Carpenter started on pole for the 2014 Indy 500. Both Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio Castroneves looked strong throughout the weekend. Hunter-Reay started in row 7 whereas Castroneves was in row 2. The American, despite starting lower down the order, set the record average speed midway through the race and took the lead. Hunter-Reay led the most laps.

The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio - Source: Getty

However, a late Red Flag bunched up the field making it a six-lap shootout for the win. Castroneves took the lead on Lap 196 with Hunter-Reay taking the lead back on the very next lap. Ryan led the remainder of the laps and took the race win. Castroneves made an almighty attempt on the final lap and finished only 0.0600 seconds behind the winner.

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#1 Alfred Unser Jr. and Scott Goodyear - 1992

The 1992 race was eventful with Mario Andretti and Jeff Andretti crashing out in the early stages. Michael Andretti dominated the 1992 Indy 500 before he retired from the race on lap 189. After a few laps under the caution flag, the race resumed with six laps to go, essentially making it a sprint to the end.

1994 Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey - Source: Getty

Al. Unser Jr. led the race after the restart with Scott Goodyear trailing him. Goodyear was unable to pass Unser in the remaining laps but made a last-ditch effort on the final lap coming out of the final corner. Goodyear closed in but missed out by 0.043 seconds.