After a three hour delay Fast Friday practice is underway. Barring any other weather issues, practice is scheduled to go until 7 pm Eastern, followed by the qualification draw at 7:15.
Despite knowing better, I took my usual route to the track. I was stuck on Auburn Avenue for 20 minutes before getting into lot 2 . That lot is quite full. I have never seen a practice day this full. Is Fast Friday going tom turn into Carb Day II?
The television schedule for the rest of the weekend, assuming good weather.
Kudos to Fox for covering the entire day Sunday.
I will be back after practice and the draw for qualifying spots unless some big news breaks.
Indianapolis, Ind. (May 15, 2026) – Louisville KY based, Texas Roadhouse, Inc. has joined forces with Abel Motorsports and Jacob Abel to take on the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Known nationwide for their legendary hospitality, high-energy atmosphere, and of course their rolls – Texas Roadhouse now brings that same spirit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
As a native of Louisville, Jacob Abel loves any chance he gets to tie his hometown in with his professional career and the partnership with Texas Roadhouse is another deep tie to the Bluegrass State.
“I’m honored to represent Texas Roadhouse in this years Indianapolis 500, it’s very special to have a fellow Louisville Kentucky company supporting me in this journey. Can’t thank everyone at Texas Roadhouse enough, and looking forward to making them proud,” exclaimed Jacob Abel.
When the opportunity to have an iconic brand like Texas Roadhouse join the Abel Motorsports team arose, Bill Abel was very eager to put a deal together to bring another tie from Louisville to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“It’s really cool to have another company in Louisville want to support a fellow Louisvillian, and we as a group can’t wait to build upon this relationship and share some incredible experiences together this May,” said Team Owner Bill Abel.
Qualifying for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 begins on Saturday May 16th with coverage beginning at 11:00am ET live on FOX Sports 2. Keep up to date with all things Abel Motorsports by following the team on social media, @abelmotorsports, or by visiting www.abelmotorsports.com
About Abel Motorsports: Abel Motorsports Team Principal Bill Abel began racing motocross in 1972, earning numerous championship titles as he continued the family motorsports tradition. In 2015, Abel Motorsports was launched starting in the USF2000 series and building their way up the junior open-wheel ladder. Abel Motorsports was able to capture the inaugural Formula Regional Americas Championship with driver Kyle Kirkwood. Today, Abel Motorsports is a leading force in the INDY NXT by Firestone Championship, the official development series of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, where the team operates as a multi-car organization focused on the future. 2024 was a breakout season for Abel Motorsports scoring three wins, three pole positions, and 12 podiums on their way to second in the entrant championship. Always looking towards the future, Abel Motorsports made their foray into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2023 as the team entered the 107th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500 with driver RC Enerson.
Rain has entered the picture at IMS as Fast Friday gets off to a slow start. The forecast calls for precipitation to end around noon, which means on track activity won’t likely begin before 2 pm.
Scott Dixon has been the only driver near the top of the charts all three practice days. It is hard to say if it means anything since we don’t know what the others like Conor Daly, Alex Palou, or Kyle Kirkwood were working on yesterday., but Dixon has looked strong all week.
Right now, my front row for the race is Daly, Dixon, and Palou. Top 12 contenders are Kirkwood, Graham Rahal, David Malukas, Pato O’Ward, Marcus Armstrong, Felix Rosenqvist, Takuma Sato, and Helio Castroneves.
I’m hearing that there were long lines waiting to get into the track this morning. I am still at the North Annex media center, and I will head to the track around noon.
Pictures from behind the Scene
My friend Brad Proctor took some photos in the garage area yesterday afternoon. Here are a few that capture downtime at IMS.
” Hi. I need a flight from Indianapolis to Charlotte, late afternoon on the 24th. Nonstop, please.”Elves at work” You Passed tech! Splenda’d”Romain is not on the non-tow list.
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 14, 2026) – Information about the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice track activity Friday, May 15 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
SCHEDULE:10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates openNoon-6 p.m.: Practice (all cars)6:15 p.m.: Qualification Order Drawing, Pagoda Plaza
TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $25. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to select grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Children 15 and under are admitted free with paying adult.
.PARKING: Paid parking is available in Lot 2, Lot 3P and Main Gate for $10. Paid ADA parking is available in Lot 2 and Lot 3P for $10. Free public parking is available in IMS infield and Lot 7 (North 40) via Gate 10 from 30th Street. Free motorcycle parking in South Carousel Lot. Free ADA accessible parking available in West Museum Lot and Flag Lot.
CASHLESS OPERATIONS: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. A Cash-to-Card machine, which converts paper money to a temporary debit card, will be in Pagoda Plaza. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open 10 a.m-5 p.m. General Admission tickets are $25 for adults, Seniors (55 or older) are $23 and Military are $18. Tickets can be purchase online at imsmuseum.org.
As has been the pattern all week, a driver set the fast time of the day early. Today it was Pato O’Ward’s turn to lead the field with a lap of 227.308 mph. O’Ward is the third different driver to lead at the end of a practice day.
“We got a race run in, we got some qualifying simulations in, and the car is in good balance,” O’Ward said. “Tomorrow when the boost comes up, it does change quite a bit. Yeah, so far it’s been very smooth.”
“Today, we noticed (reaching top speeds) over the course of two corners or like half a lap, but tomorrow you’ll go from the start of the exit of (Turn) 2 to the entry of (Turn) 3 almost like full beans, so it’s cool,” O’Ward said.
O’Ward and his number 5 Arrow team had struggled on Tuesday, but found what6 they needed today.
Tomorrow could be a different story for everyone when the extra boost will increase speeds by 5 or 6 mph.
I don’t want top jinx anything, but we have had 18 incident free hours of running. The only stoppages have been for track inspections and debris.
Conor Dly was 25th Thursday after leading Wednesday and having a spot in the top 10 Tuesday. Kyle Kirkwood was 14th, and Alex Palou, Tuesday’s leader, ended the day with the 25th fastest time.
Alexander Rossi turned the most circuits, 68.
Notes
Attendance has been very strong each of the first three days this week. I’m anticipating an even larger turnout tomorrow on Fast Friday.
David Maluykas took time to sign autographs for fans in Gasoline Alley after he finished a run.
If rain interferes with qualifying on Saturday, I’m interested in what the contingency plans are for Sunday. I hope @Indyca_Wxman can keep the rain away.
Results
Today’s session. combined results, and Practice 3 non-tow results:
Some scattered items as Practice Day 3 begins in about an hour.
I omitted the combined non tow chart from last night’s summary:
Merch
I checked the gift shop areas and came away generally unimpressed with the designs and high prices. The shirts are very thin. R=There were thre designs I liked, but the #45 ptice is excessive.
This one is my favorite
My Favorite Sign
It is great that the speedway sold out the grandstands a week earlier than they did last year. Sellouts used to be an annual, automatic event.I hope we are getting back to that situation.
Iffy Saturday?
Concerns about Saturday weather from @Indycar_Wxman:
/Weather delays are frustrating, and IMS is very persistent in drying the track and getting some running in. At worst qualifying would finish on Sunday, and the pole shootout may have to be altered. I would be fine if the first round of what is scheduled had to be scratched since the htree slowest cars don’t even get a laurel and hearty handshake.
Notes
Conor Daly on his fast run yesterday:
“Feeling great, but we weren’t even flat on that lap,” Daly said. “The car feels pretty good. It’s going really well. Honestly, it was very exciting out there, too. I saw more side-by-side racing out there on that run than I’ve seen in practice for a long time. It seemed good.”
Programs are still not available. I will try to find out why there is a delay. Some fans only attend for qualifying. It would be a shame if they couldn’t purchase a program during t5heir only track visit.
Photos
My friend Brad Proctor took some great photos yesterday. Here are a few.
Katherine LeggePato O’WardSomeone asked Conor to pass the Grey Poupon.
Unless something earth shattering happens, I will be back at the end of the day with a wrap up.
INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, May 13, 2026) – Information about the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice track activity Thursday, May 14 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
SCHEDULE:10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates openNoon-6 p.m.: Practice (all cars)
TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $25. The General Admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to select grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Children 15 and under are admitted free with paying adult.
.PARKING: Free public parking is available in IMS Infield Turn 3 and Lot 7 (North 40) accessible only via Gate 10 from 30th Street. Free ADA accessible parking is available in West Museum Lot, Flag Lot, Tower Lot and Northwest Gravel. Free motorcycle parking is also available in the South Carousel Lot via Gate 2.
CASHLESS OPERATIONS: Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete your ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during your event via debit or credit card.Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. A Cash-to-Card machine, which converts paper money to a temporary debit card, will be in Pagoda Plaza. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.
MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is open 10 a.m-5 p.m. General Admission tickets are $25 for adults, Seniors (55 or older) are $23 and Military are $18. Tickets can be purchase online at imsmuseum.org.
Conor Daly led the second day of practice for the Indianapolis 500 on a chilly windy Wednesday afternoon. His fast lap was 228. 080 mph Yesterdays’ leader Alex Palou jumped to the top in the first before Conor Daly and David Maluka both bettered his speed of 225.969. Palou regained second in the final hour with a 228.026 mph lap.
Four cautions for debris and track inspections put the action on hold for brief periods. The early part of the day saw a lot of single runs, but during the second half of the day groups of cars put on a great show.
Pato O’Ward led the non-tow speed chart with a clear lap of 221,409 mph.
Tomorrow’s weather should be slightly warmer than today and sunny. It should feel better trackside than today. Fans were treated to near 1992 race day cold at times.
Notes
Takuma Sato has been unusually slow during the first two days of practice.
Ed Carprnter and Scott McLaughlin each required an engine change yesterday. Sting ray Robband Jack Harvey had engine issues during the late April test and both received new power plants.
Graham Rahal was sixth fastest yesterday and fourth quick today, a masked improved from the last couple of years.
Results
Today’s overall speed, Non tow char, and two day combined chart.
Si just arrived at IMS where Day 2 of practice is underway. Conditions are much cooler than yesterday, with a temperature of 64 defrees. The sky is mostly cloudy.
Conor Daly leads with a 228.080 mph la2:27 pm:
p, followed by Savid Malukas at 227.139 mph. Alwx Palou is third with a bes lap of 226.968 mph. Palou set his lap in the first hour.
Another strong crowd is on hand to watch the action.
There have been two debris cautions so far.
The top 7 as of 2:27 pm:
I’m going to roam the grounds for awhile. I’ll be back after practice.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 