For the first time since Helio Castroneves in 2010, the defending winner of the Indy 500 returned to the Brickyard and secured pole position. Alex Palou turned a late qualifying draw at the start of the day into his second pole in IndyCar’s crown jewel event.
This is Palou’s second pole in the Indy 500, with the first coming in 2023. He will share the front row with 2016 Indy 500 Alexander Rossi and Penske’s newest driver, David Malukas.
Along with setting the fastest single-lap of the entire week on Fast Friday, Rosenqvist was the quickest of all drivers in the first two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, but he was only fast enough for fourth in the Firestone Fast 6.
Caio Collet had led the rookie class in 10th, but he was penalized due to an issue in post-qualifying inspection, as was Jack Harvey, who had qualified 29th. They will now start 32nd and 33rd, respectively.
Katherine Legge will start 26th — the best grid position of her Indy 500 career, as she prepares to attempt the Indy 500/Coke 600 Double next weekend.
2026 Indy 500 Full Starting Grid
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