2025 Indianapolis 500

Alex Palou Triumphs in a Chaotic and Strategic 109th Indianapolis 500

Alex Palou delivered on the grandest stage in American open-wheel racing Sunday afternoon, claiming his first Indianapolis 500 victory in commanding fashion — one defined by opportunistic racecraft, precision fuel management, and a perfectly timed overtake that crowned a dominant month of May for the Chip Ganassi Racing driver.

Palou's victory under caution marked the first oval win of his NTT IndyCar Series career and his fifth victory in six races to open the 2025 season. The win extends his points lead to a massive 115 over Pato O'Ward and etches his name onto the Borg-Warner Trophy as the first Spanish winner in the race's 113-year history.

"It's amazing to win," Palou said. "There were moments I didn't know if I was going to be able to pass Marcus [Ericsson] or not, but I made it happen. First oval win. What better place?"

A Calculated Ascent

Palou started sixth in the No. 10 DHL Honda and led 14 laps, including the most critical: Lap 187. That's when he executed the race-winning move on Ericsson, using lapped traffic to generate a run and slip past the 2022 winner into Turn 1.

From there, Palou held firm despite aging tires and tight fuel margins. When a final-lap crash by rookie Nolan Siegel in Turn 2 brought out the race's seventh caution, the path to victory was secured.

"I was saving fuel early, just waiting," Palou said. "I didn't have the best tires, but I saw an opportunity and went for it. That was my only chance."

A Day of Attrition and Audibles

Cool, overcast skies delayed the start by over 40 minutes, and chaos struck before the green flag when pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin crashed on the final pace lap, eliminating the Team Penske contender before Lap 1 was completed.

A flurry of early cautions — including incidents for Marco Andretti, Rinus VeeKay, and a multi-car crash involving Kyle Larson, Kyffin Simpson, and Sting Ray Robb — fractured the rhythm of the opening half. Only after Lap 108 did the race settle into a more tactical tempo.

The second half was a test of pit sequences and fuel conservation. Multiple strategies cycled through the lead, with Ryan Hunter-Reay, David Malukas, Conor Daly, and Devlin DeFrancesco all taking turns at the front. But in the final stint, only Palou emerged with the pace and track position to control the outcome.

A Bitter Repeat for Ericsson

For the second time in three years, Marcus Ericsson was the bridesmaid at Indianapolis. The Andretti Global driver led 17 laps in the No. 28 Allegra Honda and appeared to have the upper hand until Palou's decisive pass.

"He got a run on me — I should have covered the inside," Ericsson admitted. "That was painful. This is a winner-takes-all place."

Despite another near-miss, Ericsson's second-place finish vaulted him to 10th in the standings and restored momentum after a modest start to the season.

Malukas Delivers for Foyt

David Malukas recorded a career-best finish in the "500," placing third for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the No. 4 Clarience Technologies Chevrolet. The Chicago native led briefly on Laps 133 and 169, and was in the mix until Palou leapfrogged him during the final pit cycle.

"We were so close," Malukas said. "He [Palou] got a good run through traffic. It's bittersweet, but we showed what we can do."

Final Standings and Storylines

• Pato O'Ward notched his fourth top-four finish in five years at Indianapolis but remains winless at the Speedway.
• Felix Rosenqvist brought Meyer Shank Racing back into the top five after a trying start to the year.
• Kyle Kirkwood gained 17 positions from his 23rd-place start to finish sixth —  the biggest mover of the race.
• Hunter-Reay and Sato, both former winners, led a combined 99 laps but faded outside the top 10 after late pit stops.
• Rookie polesitter Robert Shwartzman's day unraveled with a pit lane crash on Lap 87, ending his promising debut in 29th.

Dominance Refined

Palou's 2025 campaign now mirrors some of the greatest in series history. He joins legends like A.J. Foyt and Al Unser Sr. as the only drivers to win five of the first six races in a season. For Ganassi, it marks the team's sixth Indianapolis 500 victory and a crowning moment in their storied legacy.

"He's clearly one of the greats," Chip Ganassi said. "This is a big damn race, and now he'll always be known as Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou."

Next up for the NTT IndyCar Series is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on June 1, but for now, Alex Palou stands alone atop the racing world — with a wreath around his neck, a bottle of milk in hand, and his name forever etched in Indianapolis lore.

Newgarden Leads Final Practice as Race Day Countdown Begins

Josef Newgarden led the field in the final on-track session before the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, posting a best lap of 225.687 mph in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet for Team Penske during Friday's two-hour final practice on Miller Lite Carb Day.

Newgarden, the defending Indy 500 winner and 32nd-place starter for Sunday's race, completed 71 laps in traffic during the session, which emphasized long-run consistency and race-day balance rather than outright pace.

"It's always good to end the week strong," Newgarden said. "I think we've got a solid car for Sunday. Now it's just about executing over 500 miles."

Top 10 Speeds – Practice 9 (Final Practice):

1. Josef Newgarden – 225.687 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
2. Takuma Sato – 225.415 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)
3. Scott Dixon – 225.200 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
4. Devlin DeFrancesco – 224.778 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)
5. Will Power – 224.419 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
6. Felix Rosenqvist – 224.416 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
7. Helio Castroneves – 224.235 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
8. Pato O'Ward – 224.159 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
9. David Malukas – 223.843 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
10. Conor Daly – 223.769 mph (Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)

Incidents and Interruptions

The session was interrupted by three cautions. The first came at 11:38 a.m. when smoke trailed from Graham Rahal's No. 15 United Rentals Honda. Rahal, who will start 28th on Sunday, completed just 21 laps before his car was sidelined.

At 12:18 p.m., a more dramatic incident occurred when flames emerged from beneath the engine cover of Ryan Hunter-Reay's No. 23 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet. Hunter-Reay, who will start 25th, quickly brought the car to pit lane and exited safely. The team will evaluate the damage and prepare a backup if necessary for race day.

Finally, Takuma Sato's No. 75 AMADA Honda slowed unexpectedly on the backstretch at 12:45 p.m., prompting a tow-in and brief yellow. Sato, who starts second, had already logged 62 laps and remained second-fastest overall.

Final Tune-Up for Race Day

A total of 1,972 laps were completed under partly cloudy skies with air temperatures in the low 70s. Drivers ran in thick packs throughout the session to simulate race conditions, fine-tune tire wear, and evaluate fuel mileage windows.

Pole sitter Robert Shwartzman, making his oval debut, turned 85 laps—the most of any driver—and finished 29th on the speed chart at 220.987 mph in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet. Kyle Larson, starting 19th, was 26th at 221.779 mph in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet as he prepares for the "double" with the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.

Up Next: The 109th Indianapolis 500

With final practice complete, the focus now turns to race day. Race day coverage of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 begins Sunday, May 25, at 10 a.m. ET, airing live on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Palou Leads Race Day Prep as Rasmussen Crashes in Practice 8

Alex Palou returned to the top of the charts in Monday's Practice 8 for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, posting a best lap of 226.765 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. After two intense days of single-car qualifying, the focus shifted sharply back to race trim as teams began refining their strategies and setups for Sunday's 500-mile contest.

Palou, the NTT IndyCar Series points leader and sixth-place starter for Sunday's race, completed 53 laps in race traffic and emerged fastest as cars ran in long, tightly bunched packs. While lap times in this session carry little qualifying relevance, they offer critical insight into how cars behave in turbulent air and on long fuel stints—essential factors for executing passes and strategy over 200 laps.

"A great day for the No. 10 DHL Honda," Palou said. "Back to traffic running, and the car felt really good. We ended up P1. It doesn't mean much, but you always take a P1 in any session at the Speedway. I'm feeling really comfortable. It's not easy to be in traffic and overtake, but I'm able to do it. I'm ready for Carb Day."

Helio Castroneves impressed in second at 226.441 mph in the No. 06 Cliffs Honda for Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian. The 50-year-old four-time "500" winner will start 22nd on Sunday and is aiming to become the first five-time winner in the race's history. Takuma Sato, another two-time winner and one of the oldest drivers in the field at 48, was third fastest at 226.087 mph in the No. 75 AMADA Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Jack Harvey was the quickest Chevrolet-powered driver of the day, placing fourth with a lap at 226.048 mph in the No. 24 DRR CUSICK INVEST Chevrolet. His Dreyer & Reinbold Racing teammate, 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, rounded out the top five at 225.969 mph.

Top 10 Speeds – Practice 8:

1. Alex Palou – 226.765 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
2. Helio Castroneves – 226.441 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
3. Takuma Sato – 226.087 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)
4. Jack Harvey – 226.048 mph (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet)
5. Ryan Hunter-Reay – 225.969 mph (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet)
6. Nolan Siegel – 225.733 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
7. Will Power – 225.631 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
8. Josef Newgarden – 225.597 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
9. Christian Rasmussen – 225.247 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)
10. Conor Daly – 225.191 mph (Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)

Rasmussen Crashes Early in Session

The session's only incident came just 12 minutes after the green flag. Christian Rasmussen made light contact with the SAFER Barrier exiting Turn 2, then spun into the grass on the backstretch and hit the inside wall. Rasmussen, who qualified 20th for his first Indianapolis 500, was evaluated and released from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center and cleared to drive. He completed just seven laps on the day .

Field Continues Race Prep Under Warm Conditions

Partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-70s provided consistent running conditions as 33 drivers turned 2,067 laps over two hours. While fastest laps in traffic don't reflect ultimate pace, the session offered a glimpse at how cars behave in multi-car trains and how drivers manage the aerodynamic wake, balance shifts, and tire wear.

Rookie pole sitter Robert Shwartzman, who will lead the field to green on Sunday, ended up 26th fastest at 222.561 mph in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet as he acclimates to pack running on an oval for the first time. Rinus VeeKay (27th) and Graham Rahal (30th) also focused on long-run consistency after qualifying near the back.

Kyle Larson, who will start 21st and attempt the Indy-Charlotte "double" next Sunday, logged 82 laps and was 11th fastest at 225.056 mph in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Next Up: Miller Lite Carb Day

The next and final on-track session before race day is the traditional Miller Lite Carb Day final practice, scheduled for Friday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. That session will be followed by the Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, a favorite among fans and teams alike. Coverage of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 goes green Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Shwartzman Takes Historic Pole as Rookie, Andretti Survives Last Chance Drama

Robert Shwartzman made history on Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, claiming the NTT P1 Award for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge with a blistering four-lap average of 232.790 mph in the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet. Shwartzman became the first rookie to earn the pole position for the "500" since Teo Fabi in 1983, cementing his place in the event's storied history.

Shwartzman, who had shown impressive speed throughout the week, was the fourth qualifier in the Firestone Fast Six session. He unleashed a stunning opening lap of 233.166 mph and held on through three more laps to secure the top starting spot in his Indianapolis 500 debut .

"I still can't believe it," Shwartzman said in his post-qualifying press conference. "It's just a dream. I was thinking in my dreams, fantasizing, 'How will it feel to take pole position for the Indy 500?' I was like, 'Robert, get back to reality. You're a rookie. How can you expect to be in this position?' But here we are. It's unbelievable."

Firestone Fast Six Results:

1. Robert Shwartzman – 232.790 mph (PREMA Racing Chevrolet)
2. Takuma Sato – 232.478 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)
3. Pato O'Ward – 232.098 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
4. Scott Dixon – 232.052 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
5. Felix Rosenqvist – 231.987 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
6. Alex Palou – 231.378 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)

Sato, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, was second at 232.478 mph in the No. 75 AMADA Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, his first front-row start since 2020. O'Ward will start third after clocking a 232.098 mph average in his No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, the best starting position of his Indy 500 career .

Top 12 Qualifying Drama

Earlier in the afternoon, the Top 12 session saw multiple lead changes as drivers battled changing track conditions. Felix Rosenqvist topped the round with a 232.523 mph average, narrowly edging O'Ward's 232.186 mph run and Shwartzman's 232.008 mph effort. However, Shwartzman saved his best for the Fast Six, delivering the fastest four-lap average of the entire weekend .

Team Penske faced a setback as both Josef Newgarden and Will Power were disqualified from the Top 12 session after failing pre-qualifying technical inspection, forfeiting their guaranteed attempts and preventing them from competing for the pole .

Last Chance Qualifying – Marco Makes the Show, Abel Misses Out

Last Chance Qualifying provided its own share of drama, as four drivers battled for the final three spots in the 33-car starting field. Marco Andretti, the 2014 pole sitter, emerged on top with a 229.741 mph average in his No. 98 MAPEI/Curb Honda, securing his 20th consecutive Indianapolis 500 start. Marcus Armstrong, driving the No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda for Meyer Shank Racing, took the second spot at 229.091 mph .

The final transfer position went to Rinus VeeKay, who dramatically withdrew his initial attempt and made a final run at 6:12 p.m. ET to secure his place in the field at 226.913 mph in the No. 18 askROI Honda, bumping rookie Jacob Abel from the starting grid .

Abel, who had impressed throughout practice in the No. 51 Miller High Life Honda, made a desperate final attempt but fell short with an average of 226.394 mph. Fighting back tears, the Louisville, Kentucky, native reflected on his emotional first month at the Speedway in his post-qualifying press conference, calling it a "dream come true" despite the heartbreak of missing the race .

Setting the Stage for Race Day

With the starting field now set, teams will turn their attention to fine-tuning their race setups in the final practices. Shwartzman, starting from pole, will lead the field to green on May 25, looking to become the first rookie to win the Indianapolis 500 since Alexander Rossi in 2016.

McLaughlin Paces Practice 7, Walks Away from Big Crash in Turn 2

Scott McLaughlin topped the speed charts in Sunday's Practice 7 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, setting the fastest lap of the session at 233.553 mph in the No. 3 Pennzoil Chevrolet for Team Penske. However, McLaughlin's day took a dramatic turn just minutes later when he crashed heavily in Turn 2, briefly becoming airborne before coming to rest on the apron. The 2024 pole sitter climbed from his car without assistance from the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team and was later evaluated and released from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center.

McLaughlin's incident, which occurred just 16 minutes into the session, forced officials to red-flag the track for nearly 25 minutes while the damaged car was cleared. The practice resumed at 1:40 p.m. ET, giving drivers in both the Top 12 and Last Chance Qualifying sessions a valuable but shortened opportunity to fine-tune their setups.

Top 10 Speeds from Practice 7:

1. Scott McLaughlin – 233.553 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
2. Scott Dixon – 233.240 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
3. Pato O'Ward – 232.792 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
4. Felix Rosenqvist – 232.734 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
5. Alex Palou – 232.235 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
6. Christian Lundgaard – 232.017 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
7. Josef Newgarden – 231.839 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
8. Will Power – 231.714 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
9. David Malukas – 231.636 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
10. Takuma Sato – 229.978 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)

No-Tow Leaders – Single-Car Qualifying Focus:

While McLaughlin led the overall speeds, his best lap also topped the no-tow chart, reinforcing his car's raw pace without aerodynamic assistance:

1. Scott McLaughlin – 233.553 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
2. Felix Rosenqvist – 232.734 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
3. Pato O'Ward – 232.322 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
4. Alex Palou – 232.235 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
5. Christian Lundgaard – 232.017 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
6. Will Power – 231.714 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
7. David Malukas – 231.636 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
8. Scott Dixon – 231.471 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
9. Josef Newgarden – 230.770 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
10. Takuma Sato – 229.978 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)

Final Preparations for Qualifying

With just hours remaining before the Top 12 and Last Chance Qualifying sessions, teams were focused on fine-tuning their cars for the critical four-lap runs that will determine the NTT P1 Award and the final three spots in the 33-car starting field.

Marcus Armstrong, who faces the pressure of Last Chance Qualifying after being bumped from the top 30 on Saturday, managed 16 laps in his rebuilt No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda, posting a best lap of 229.776 mph. Marco Andretti, also set for Last Chance Qualifying, clocked a best lap of 229.781 mph in the No. 98 Andretti Herta w/ Marco & Curb-Agajanian Honda, indicating the steep challenge he faces as he aims to make his 20th Indy 500 start.

Palou Leads the Way as Top 12 and Last Chance Qualifiers Set for Sunday

Alex Palou delivered another standout performance on the opening day of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, topping the speed charts with a four-lap average of 233.043 mph in the No. 10 DHL Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou's single run came in the early afternoon, when track temperatures were around 100 degrees and wind gusts exceeded 30 mph, creating a challenging environment for both drivers and crews.

"It's tough conditions out there," Palou said. "Yesterday it was with the temperature; today it was with the wind. The car has been really good. We were struggling this morning. I was unable to finish a four-lap (qualifying simulation) run. Now we were able to finish it quite strongly. Super happy. I don't know if there's more (speed in the car), but there's always more. The line between more and too much is very thin here at IMS. We'll see what we have for tomorrow."

Palou will be joined in Sunday's Top 12 Qualifying session by a mix of past champions, rising stars, and series newcomers, including:

1. Alex Palou – 233.043 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
2. Scott McLaughlin – 233.013 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
3. Josef Newgarden – 233.004 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
4. Pato O'Ward – 232.820 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
5. Scott Dixon – 232.659 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
6. Robert Shwartzman (R) – 232.584 mph (PREMA Racing Chevrolet)
7. David Malukas – 232.546 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
8. Felix Rosenqvist – 232.449 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
9. Takuma Sato – 232.415 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)
10. Will Power – 232.144 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
11. Marcus Ericsson – 232.132 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
12. Christian Lundgaard – 231.809 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

Herta Recovers After Early Crash

While many drivers were forced to contend with unpredictable wind gusts and fluctuating track temperatures, few faced a more challenging day than Colton Herta. The Andretti Global driver made heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 1 on his first qualifying attempt, flipping his No. 26 Gainbridge Honda upside down before coming to rest in Turn 2. Herta's team scrambled to repair the severely damaged car, managing to get him back on track late in the session. Herta recovered to qualify 29th, securing his place in the field with a four-lap average of 230.192 mph.

Last Chance Qualifiers (Positions 31-34):

Several notable names missed the guaranteed 30-car cutoff and will have to fight for their spot in the 33-car starting field during Sunday's Last Chance Qualifying session:

• Marco Andretti – 229.859 mph (Andretti Herta w/ Marco & Curb-Agajanian Honda)
• Rinus VeeKay – 229.519 mph (Dale Coyne Racing Honda)
• Marcus Armstrong – 227.224 mph (Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda)
• Jacob Abel (R) – 226.859 mph (Dale Coyne Racing Honda)

Andretti, a 19-time Indy 500 starter, made four attempts but failed to break into the top 30, setting up a high-stakes Sunday showdown as he looks to avoid his first career DNQ at the Brickyard. Armstrong and Abel, both rookies, will also be under intense pressure as they seek to join the "500" field for the first time.

Wind, Heat Add Complexity to Day 1 Runs

With track temperatures peaking near 100 degrees and wind gusts pushing 30 mph from varying directions, drivers faced some of the most challenging conditions of the week. Many teams opted to run in the early afternoon as the track surface continued to heat up, hoping to avoid the unpredictable winds that can destabilize a car at over 230 mph.

Despite the tough conditions, Palou's Chip Ganassi Racing entry appeared composed throughout his run, highlighting the team's exceptional preparation. Meanwhile, drivers like Conor Daly and Marco Andretti found themselves wrestling with less stable setups as the wind continued to swirl through the grandstands and down the main straight.

Rosenqvist Sets Fastest Lap in Shortened Morning Practice as Armstrong Crashes in Group 1

Felix Rosenqvist set the fastest lap of the brief Saturday morning practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, clocking in at 234.176 mph in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda for Meyer Shank Racing. This marked the fastest lap of the week, edging out Scott McLaughlin's previous high of 233.954 mph from Fast Friday.

The one-hour session, originally split into two 30-minute groups, was adjusted to 20 minutes each following a heavy crash involving Marcus Armstrong. Armstrong, driving the No. 66 SiriusXM/Root Insurance Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, spun in Turn 1 just 11 minutes into Group 1, making hard left-side contact with the SAFER Barrier before sliding into the grass between Turns 1 and 2. He was assisted from the car by the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team and was evaluated and released from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center shortly after.

Once the track returned to green, Rosenqvist quickly laid down his session-topping lap, with NTT IndyCar Series points leader Alex Palou second fastest at 233.502 mph in the No. 10 DHL Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Palou has consistently been among the fastest drivers throughout the week as he eyes his first Indianapolis 500 victory.

Josef Newgarden, the two-time and reigning Indy 500 champion, was third quickest at 233.173 mph in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet for Team Penske, followed by Colton Herta at 232.892 mph in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda for Andretti Global and Scott Dixon at 232.858 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Top 10 Speeds from Practice 6:

1. Felix Rosenqvist – 234.176 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
2. Alex Palou – 233.502 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
3. Josef Newgarden – 233.173 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
4. Colton Herta – 232.892 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
5. Scott Dixon – 232.858 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
6. Will Power – 232.808 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
7. Takuma Sato – 232.678 mph (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda)
8. Kyle Kirkwood – 232.251 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
9. David Malukas – 232.037 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
10. Alexander Rossi – 231.974 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)

No-Tow Speed Leaders – Key for Qualifying:

1. Alex Palou – 233.437 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
2. Felix Rosenqvist – 233.432 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
3. Josef Newgarden – 233.173 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
4. Alexander Rossi – 231.974 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)
5. David Malukas – 231.915 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
6. Christian Rasmussen – 231.827 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)
7. Marcus Ericsson – 231.144 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
8. Kyffin Simpson – 231.130 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
9. Marco Andretti – 231.099 mph (Andretti Herta w/ Marco & Curb-Agajanian Honda)
10. Nolan Siegel – 230.568 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)

Incidents and Adjustments:

Armstrong's crash forced officials to shorten each group's track time to 20 minutes, and the second group faced an additional delay for debris cleanup on the backstretch. Armstrong's No. 66 Honda suffered significant damage, and his team will work to prepare the backup car for this afternoon's qualifying session.

In total, the 23 cars that participated in Practice 6 combined to turn 180 laps during the two groups, as teams made their final on-track adjustments ahead of the critical PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying sessions later in the day.

McLaughlin Sets Blistering Pace on Fast Friday as Qualifying Looms

Scott McLaughlin set the fastest lap of the week, topping the speed charts on a gusty and sweltering Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. McLaughlin, the 2024 pole sitter, turned a lap at 233.954 mph in the No. 3 Pennzoil Chevrolet for Team Penske, marking the fastest lap of the 2025 Indianapolis 500 preparations so far.

McLaughlin's top speed came in the first five minutes of the six-hour session as teams took advantage of the increased boost levels in their engines, which add approximately 100 more horsepower compared to the settings used earlier in the week. The added power will be available again this weekend for PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying.

The high speeds came despite challenging conditions, with air temperatures nearing 90 degrees and Firestone reporting a track temperature of 138 degrees in Turn 1 at its peak. Steady winds between 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, added another layer of difficulty for drivers navigating the 2.5-mile oval on low-downforce qualifying setups.

Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon posted the second-fastest lap of the day at 232.561 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda, with the 2008 Indy 500 winner setting the fastest four-lap qualifying simulation of the day at the same average speed. His lap came without the aid of a draft, a promising sign for the six-time series champion as he looks to break a 15-year drought at the Brickyard.

"It was good," Dixon said. "The first one (qualifying sim) was very conservative. We were very worried about conditions and obviously what had happened to Kyffin. Glad he's OK. I think there's still some good speed left in the car. The car is really smooth, and I'm pretty conservative, as well. So, we'll see. Who knows what tomorrow is going to bring? I think conditions are going to be pretty tough."

NTT IndyCar Series points leader Alex Palou continued his strong month, ranking third at 232.528 mph in the No. 10 DHL Honda. Palou also posted the second-fastest four-lap average of the day at 232.307 mph, further solidifying his credentials as a pole contender.

Rounding out the top five were Andretti Global teammates Kyle Kirkwood and Colton Herta. Kirkwood clocked in fourth at 232.107 mph in the No. 27 Siemens Honda, while Herta posted the fifth-fastest speed at 232.066 mph in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda.

Fast Friday Top 10 (Practice 5):

1. Scott McLaughlin – 233.954 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
2. Scott Dixon – 232.561 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
3. Alex Palou – 232.528 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
4. Kyle Kirkwood – 232.107 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
5. Colton Herta – 232.066 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
6. Will Power – 231.983 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
7. Christian Lundgaard – 231.814 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
8. Conor Daly – 231.689 mph (A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet)
9. Marcus Armstrong – 231.568 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
10. Sting Ray Robb – 231.415 mph (Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)

Incidents and Close Calls:

The tricky conditions led to two significant accidents. At 12:50 p.m. ET, Kyffin Simpson spun in Turn 4, making hard left-side contact with the SAFER Barrier before briefly becoming airborne and sliding into the inside pit wall. Simpson was unhurt, and his No. 8 Journie Rewards Honda will switch to a backup car for qualifying.

Later in the day, Kyle Larson lost control in Turn 3, spinning his No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet before making front-end contact with the SAFER Barrier and sliding into Turn 4. Like Simpson, Larson was unhurt and returned to the track later in the session for a shakedown run.

Next Up: Qualifying

The first day of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying is set for 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m. ET Saturday, with the fastest 30 cars earning their starting positions. The remaining four spots, including the Last Row Shootout, will be determined Sunday, along with the battle for the prestigious NTT P1 Award in the Firestone Fast Six.

Newgarden Sets Thursday Pace as Fast Friday Approaches

Two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden set the fastest lap of Thursday's six-hour practice session for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, turning a top speed of 226.632 mph in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet for Team Penske. Newgarden's performance continued a strong week for the reigning "500" champion, who has ranked among the top three on each of the first three days of practice.

"Pretty solid week so far," Newgarden said. "The team's been doing a lot of great work. We've showed up really prepared. We're still going through the motions – can't get ahead of ourselves. We're excited for Fast Friday. It's going to be quite hot tomorrow, so we're going to try to work around that and forecast the change going into Saturday and Sunday as the temperature is going to fluctuate quite a bit from what we're going to see on Fast Friday."

Six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon was second fastest at 225.457 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Dixon has finished in the top four each day of practice this week as he seeks his second Indianapolis 500 victory and first since 2008.

Conor Daly continued his impressive week, posting the third-fastest speed of the day at 224.893 mph in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet. Daly, who ranked 21st on Tuesday, has been in the top five the last two days as his team continues to refine its race day setup.

Pato O'Ward, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, was fourth fastest at 224.467 mph. O'Ward finished second in last year's Indianapolis 500, narrowly losing to Newgarden on the final lap. Rounding out the top five was 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, who turned a lap at 223.983 mph in the No. 23 DRR CUSICK WEDBUSH SECURITIES Chevrolet.

Top 10 Speeds from Thursday Practice (Practice 4):

1. Josef Newgarden – 226.632 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
2. Scott Dixon – 225.457 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
3. Conor Daly – 224.893 mph (Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)
4. Pato O'Ward – 224.467 mph (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
5. Ryan Hunter-Reay – 223.983 mph (DRR-Cusick Motorsports
6. Alex Palou – 223.456 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
7. Colton Herta – 223.063 mph (Andretti Global Honda)
8. Christian Rasmussen – 222.816 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)
9. David Malukas – 222.753 mph (AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet)
10. Scott McLaughlin – 222.728 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)

No-Tow Standouts:

Newgarden also led the no-tow charts with a lap at 222.555 mph, underlining his potential as a contender for pole position this weekend. Kyle Kirkwood continued his strong solo-running form, placing second on the no-tow list at 222.372 mph in the No. 27 Siemens Honda for Andretti Global.

Rasmussen Brushes the Wall:

Thursday's session also featured the first incident of the week, as Christian Rasmussen spun and made light contact with the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier at 4:13 p.m. ET. The rear of his No. 21 ECR Splenda Chevrolet sustained minor damage, but he was able to return to the track after quick repairs.

All 34 drivers turned laps Thursday, combining for a total of 2,213 laps (5,532.5 miles) as they continued preparations for next weekend's race. Tony Kanaan completed his refresher test in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet before the full field hit the track, ensuring he is prepared to stand in for Kyle Larson if necessary on Race Day.

Practice resumes with Fast Friday from noon to 6 p.m. ET, when teams will have access to increased engine boost ahead of this weekend's PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying.

Palou Sets Fastest Lap of the Week in Rain-Interrupted Wednesday Practice at IMS

Alex Palou continued his dominant 2025 campaign by setting the fastest lap of the week so far on a weather-interrupted second day of practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT IndyCar Series points leader topped the speed charts Wednesday with a lap at 227.546 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, the quickest time across the first two days of preparations at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Palou's lap, which came with the aid of an aerodynamic tow, underscored the remarkable pace he has shown this season, having won four of the first five races. While Palou has conquered road and street courses with ease, a victory in the Indianapolis 500 remains one of the few major accomplishments missing from his resume.

"We did a little bit of (running in) traffic," Palou said. "It's always tough when people are in different run plans. A couple of good traffic runs. The car is feeling good. You always want it to feel a little bit better, but so far, so good. This is the biggest race, and that's what we work so much toward. So, we're going to try and chase that win."

Will Power, Tuesday's fastest driver, continued his strong form by setting the second-fastest lap of the day at 225.584 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, followed closely by teammate and two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who posted a lap at 225.545 mph in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet. Newgarden is aiming to become the first driver to win "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" three consecutive years.

Six-time series champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon was fourth at 225.092 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, matching his position from Tuesday's practice. Conor Daly broke up the Penske-Ganassi lockout at the top, clocking in fifth with a lap at 224.931 mph in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.

While most of the top speeds were set with the benefit of a draft, Kyle Kirkwood once again posted the fastest lap without a tow for the second consecutive day. The Andretti Global driver reached 222.760 mph on a clean lap in the No. 27 Siemens Honda, highlighting his car's solo-run performance ahead of this weekend's PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying.

Despite the frequent rain delays, which reduced the planned six-hour practice to just three hours and 43 minutes, all 34 drivers turned a combined 2,555 laps on the 2.5-mile oval Wednesday, pushing the total for the first two days to 4,104 laps.

Top 10 from Wednesday Practice (Practice 3):

1. Alex Palou – 227.546 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
2. Will Power – 225.584 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
3. Josef Newgarden – 225.545 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
4. Scott Dixon – 225.092 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
5. Conor Daly – 224.931 mph (Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)
6. David Malukas – 224.618 mph (AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet)
7. Marcus Armstrong – 224.409 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
8. Helio Castroneves – 224.385 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
9. Jack Harvey – 224.361 mph (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet)
10. Christian Rasmussen – 224.180 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)

Combined Two-Day Speed Chart (Tuesday and Wednesday):

1. Alex Palou – 227.546 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
2. Will Power – 227.026 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
3. Josef Newgarden – 226.971 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
4. Scott Dixon – 225.092 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
5. Scott McLaughlin – 225.005 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
6. Conor Daly – 224.931 mph (Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet)
7. David Malukas – 224.618 mph (AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet)
8. Helio Castroneves – 224.523 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
9. Marcus Armstrong – 224.409 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
10. Jack Harvey – 224.361 mph (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet)

Practice resumes Thursday with a refresher test for 2013 "500" winner and Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan from 10 a.m. to noon ET. Kanaan is on standby for Kyle Larson, who is attempting to complete the "double" by racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25. Full-field practice will follow from noon to 6 p.m. ET.

Power Leads Weather-Shortened Opening Day of Indianapolis 500 Practice

Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing set the tone on the opening day of practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, with 2018 race winner Will Power leading the speed charts Tuesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Power topped the timing sheets with a best lap of 227.026 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, delivering the fastest time of the day late in a session cut short by weather. His lap came just minutes before lightning strikes in the area forced officials to call the session early at 5:29 p.m. ET, 32 minutes before the scheduled conclusion. The session had already been delayed by more than two and a half hours at the start due to intermittent rain and damp track conditions, with the green flag finally waving at 2:34 p.m. ET.

Power’s Team Penske teammate, two-time and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, was second fastest at 226.971 mph in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Chevrolet, just 0.0097 seconds slower than Power. Newgarden is chasing history this month as he aims to become the first driver to win the Indy 500 three consecutive years.

Dominant NTT IndyCar Series points leader Alex Palou was the quickest Honda-powered entry, ranking third overall at 226.673 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou, a three-time series champion with four wins in the first five races this season, is aiming to add an Indy 500 win to his impressive resume.

Six-time series champion and 2008 “500” winner Scott Dixon placed fourth at 225.059 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Dixon turned just four laps to set his best time, underscoring the efficiency of his early running.

Team Penske locked out three of the top five positions, with 2024 Indianapolis 500 pole winner Scott McLaughlin rounding out the top five at 225.005 mph in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet.

Meyer Shank Racing’s Helio Castroneves, a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, was the fastest non-Penske or Ganassi entry, clocking in sixth at 224.523 mph in the No. 06 Cliffs Honda. Castroneves is looking to become the first five-time winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

A total of 34 drivers logged 1,549 laps on the 2.5-mile oval Tuesday, as all teams worked through the condensed practice schedule. The field included several rookies, with Kyffin Simpson (222.629 mph, 22nd) and Jacob Abel (220.983 mph, 28th) both gaining valuable track time.

Top 10 from Practice 1:

1. Will Power – 227.026 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
2. Josef Newgarden – 226.971 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
3. Alex Palou – 226.673 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
4. Scott Dixon – 225.059 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
5. Scott McLaughlin – 225.005 mph (Team Penske Chevrolet)
6. Helio Castroneves – 224.523 mph (Meyer Shank Racing Honda)
7. Alexander Rossi – 224.347 mph (Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet)
8. Marcus Armstrong – 224.212 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
9. Marcus Ericsson – 224.169 mph (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
10. Marco Andretti – 224.147 mph (Andretti Herta Autosport Honda)

Practice continues Wednesday, with a refresher test for 2013 “500” winner and Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon ET. Kanaan is on standby for Kyle Larson, who is attempting to complete the “double” by racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25. The full field will return to action from noon to 6 p.m. ET.