Felix Rosenqvist backed up the speed he showed while leading “Fast Friday” practice by posting the top four-lap average speed in the opening round of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying today for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Rosenqvist posted a four-lap average speed of 232.599 in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian. The Swede was the 11th of the 33 drivers to make their one and only attempt in the pressure-packed session, taking advantage of the cooler air and track temperatures earlier in the session.
SEE: Live Timing
Positions 13 through 33 for the May 24 race were established in the opening round, with the 12 fastest drivers advancing to the Top 12 qualifying starting at 4 p.m. ET on the 2.5-mile oval.
Joining Rosenqvist in the Fast 12 are: David Malukas (231.813), Conor Daly (231.744), Scott McLaughlin (231.623), Rinus VeeKay (231.591), Alexander Rossi (231.580), Caio Collet (231.419), Scott Dixon (231.411), Pato O’Ward (231.248), Santino Ferrucci (231.224), Alex Palou (231.155) and Kyffin Simpson (231.248).
All three Chip Ganassi Racing drivers advanced to the Top 12, while Team Penske and AJ Foyt Racing each put two drivers in the second session.
As in the first round, every driver in the Top 12 session will receive one four-lap qualifying attempt. The qualifying order for the second round will be the 12th-fastest driver (Simpson) going first and then in ascending speed order until Rosenqvist makes the final attempt.
The six fastest drivers from the Top 12 will advance to the Firestone Fast Six at 6 p.m. ET, which will set the first two rows of the starting grid and determine the NTT P1 Award for pole and its coveted $100,000 bonus.
Live coverage continues on FS2 until 4 p.m. ET. FOX will cover the last two rounds of qualifying from 4-7 p.m. ET. FOX One and INDYCAR Radio Powered by OnlyBulls also are airing both sessions live.
