All-Time Qualifying Records
Broken Speed Barriers
Indianapolis 500 Qualifying
“It’s a new track record!” Starting with Rene Thomas breaking the 100 mile per hour speed in 1919 through Roberto Guerrero breaking 230 miles per hour in 1992, this list shows all speed barriers broken in ten mile per hour increments.
| Barrier | Winner, Engine (Speed, Year) |
|---|---|
| 100 mph | Rene Thomas, Delage (104.785 mph, 1919) |
| 110 mph | Earl Cooper, Miller (110.728 mph, 1925) |
| 120 mph | Frank Lockhart, Miller (120.546 mph, 1927) |
| 130 mph | Jimmy Snyder, Sparks (130.492, 1937) |
| 140 mph | Jack McGrath, Offy (141.287 mph, 1954) |
| 150 mph | Parnelli Jones, Offy (150.729 mph, 1962) |
| 160 mph | Jim Clark, Ford (160.973 mph, 1965) |
| 170 mph | Graham Hill, Pratt & Whitney (171.887 mph, 1968) |
| 180 mph | Billy Vukovich, Offy (185.797 mph, 1972) |
| 190 mph | Bobby Unser, Offy (196.678 mph, 1972) |
| 200 mph | Tom Sneva, Cosworth (200.535 mph, 1977) |
| 210 mph | Tom Sneva, Cosworth (210.689 mph, 1984) |
| 220 mph | Rick Mears, Chevy Indy V8 (220.453 mph, 1988) |
| 230 mph | Roberto Guerrero, Buick (232.618 mph, 1992) |