Pole position for Alex Palou seemed improbable, but inevitability beat improbability as Palou won the pole for next Sunday’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Palou drew number 31 in the qualifying order, which may have resulted in a different outcome had qualifying gone off as scheduled on Saturday.

The 2025 winner ended the first round in 11th, then finished second in the Fast 12. Alexander Rossi went out first in nthe Fast Six and set down a time of 231.990 mph, which held until made his run. Palou finished with an average speed of 232.248 mph win his second Indianapolis pole in four years. Palou also started first in 2023.

Felix Rosenqvist, who dominated the first two qualifying rounds, had nothing for Palou. Rosenqvist will start fourth.

I will have the full lineup up in post late tonight.

Notes

Drivers battled sstrong winds all day on their runs.Tgere were several close calls, but no incidents.

Speeds were down from last year, as they have been all week.

It was another heavy attendance day today, with the crowd spread through the grounds.

Biggest surprises: Josef Newgarden in 24th; Takuma Sato in 13th.

I will have a more complete wrapup tomorrow. Thanks for following along this weekend.