PREMA'S FAIRYTALE: CLAIMS INDY 500 POLE ON DEBUT WITH SHWARTZMAN

The qualifying session for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 delivered a stunning twist: Robert Shwartzman, behind the wheel of the No. 83 Dallara for Prema Racing, secured a sensational pole position. An incredible feat considering both the driver and the Italian team were making their debut on an oval—let alone at the world’s most iconic one.

After a solid Saturday performance that comfortably earned him a spot in the Top 12, the Russian-Israeli driver stunned again on Sunday, making it into the Fast Six with the third-fastest speed. But it was his final run that bordered on the miraculous: an average speed of 232.790 mph, untouched by anyone else. A truly memorable lap.

Lining up second will be Takuma Sato, the seasoned veteran and two-time Indy 500 winner (2017 and 2020). The Japanese driver proved once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with at the Brickyard, clocking in at 232.478 mph. Third place went to Pato O’Ward, who came in as one of the pole favorites but had to settle for the outside of the front row. The Mexican driver, narrowly denied victory in both 2022 and 2024, now gets another shot at redemption on race day.

The second row features Scott Dixon and Alex Palou from Chip Ganassi Racing, with Felix Rosenqvist slotted between them in fifth. Rosenqvist, who topped the Fast 12 on Saturday, couldn’t replicate that pace in the final shootout. Palou, the reigning IndyCar champion, also struggled to find speed during his flying laps.

David Malukas just missed the cut for the Fast Six and will start seventh. The third row will be completed by Christian Lundgaard and Marcus Ericsson. The fourth row, meanwhile, is entirely occupied by Team Penske—but not for the right reasons. Scott McLaughlin was ruled out of qualifying after a heavy crash in the preceding practice session, while Josef Newgarden and Will Power were sidelined due to technical infractions discovered during pre-qualifying inspections involving the rear attenuator of their cars.

The day also featured the tense Last Chance Qualifying, where Jacob Abel was the unfortunate odd man out. The Coyne Racing rookie failed to beat the time set by teammate Rinus VeeKay, as the team appeared significantly off the pace. Marco Andretti and Marcus Armstrong had no trouble clearing the cut, needing just a single run to lock in their grid spots. Meanwhile, the two Coyne teammates were forced into a late-session showdown for the final place.

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