Today at the Track

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Monday, May 19 
 INDIANAPOLIS Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying track activity Monday, May 19 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
SCHEDULE (All times local):
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public gates open
1-3 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice
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 selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Separate ticket required for entry each day.PUBLIC GATES OPEN (11 a.m.-3 p.m.): Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A.PARKING: Free public parking is available in N Lot. Free ADA accessible parking is available in the West Museum Lot, Tower Lot, and Flag Lot. Free motorcycle parking is available in South Carousel Lot.CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The 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. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in the IMS Museum, Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. 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 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, seniors (55 and over) are $23, and military (former and active) are $18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://imsmuseum.org/tickets/. Gate admission must be purchased as well as Museum admission.

From earlier

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

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The smile never left his face during the press conference. He seemed eerily calm considering that he had just rocked the IndyCar world.

Robert Shwartzman reflected on his pole winning run.

“I was just thinking in my dreams fantasizing, How will it feel
to take pole position in Indy 500? How is the vibe? Then I
was, like, Yeah, Robert, get back to reality. You have a
new car, new team, you are a rookie. How can you expect
to be in this position? It’s just in your dreams.
But still I was keeping that tiny dream deep inside like
maybe, maybe.”

It was am improbable result for a driver and team that quite honestly looked lost the first five races of the season and was near the bottom of the speed charts in Tuesday’s opening practice.

Shwartzman first saw the Indianapolis 500 while in Monaco during the F1 weekend.

“I was just as a kid, let’s say, just watching the Formula 1 race, and at the same time it was going the Indy 500 race. So, there was
my friends and sponsors, and they invited me to a yacht,
like the part of Monaco. I was just sitting there. It was no
Formula 1 running. It was actually after the race of
Formula 1. Normally Monaco is quite boring, as we know.
There is not many possibilities of overtaking. It’s more
quallie race for me.
Then we were just sitting there, and on the TV there was
Indy 500 race running there. Honestly I was just looking. It
was so much more exciting. I was just, like, Damn, until
last turn you don’t know who is going to win. I was being
like, Okay, this guy is fast, he’s going to win, and then all of
a sudden, no, he’s getting overtaken and then another guy
and another guy. The rotation is always changing.
That was the first member, Damn, this is amazing. This is
proper battle.”

On Shwartzman’s team is chief engineer Eric Leichtle, who was Josef Newgarden’s engineer in 2022, and Ryan Briscoe is his driver coach.

In answer to a question about the situation in Israel, his homeland, Shwartzman called for peace.

“I just want peace in the world. I want people to be good, and I don’t want the separation of countries saying this is bad country, this is
good country. There is no bad or good. We’re all human
beings. We just have to support each other and respect
each other.”

Any concerns I had about a rookie leading the field to green melted away with that statement. Shwartzman will be fine, and he has another dream to fulfill.

I will have a full qualification wrap up later today.

Shwartzman on Pole; Penske Disqualified

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I have witnessed many wild last days of qualifying, and May 18, 2025, will go down as one of the wildest. A rookie on pole for the first time in 42 years, a top team failing to get on track to try for the pole, a top contender crashing in practice made for a day of swirling emotions.

Robert Shwartzman, a rookie driver on a rookie team, will lead the field to the green flag next Sunday. He struggled to find speed the first three days of practice and was on most people’s list to be the bumped car.

The day began with Scott McLaughlin crashing heavily in turn two. The impact tore the left rear wheel off of the car and gouged the track. McLaughlin was cleared to drive, but the car would not be ready in time. to qualify.

Penske’s woes were not over. Josef Newgarden’s car failed tech and was excluded from qualifying. Will Power’s car was also withdrawn for the same issue. The teams had violated a rule by modifying the attenuator. They had filled in the seams. Team Penske will start in the fourth row. McLaughlin will start10th, Newgarden 11th, and Power 12th.

Shwartzman’s run to the fast 12, then the Fast Six, is an incredible tale. At the media availability after qualifying, Shwartzman said he dreamed of winning the pole, but then told himself to “get back to reality.”

Iwill have more on him tomorrow in my Qualifications wrap up. Thanks for following along this weekend.

McLaughlin Will start 12th After Crash

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Another large crash early in this morning’s practice eliminated Scott McLaughlin’s chances for a second consecutive pole position. On his fourth lap McLaughlin spun in turn 2, hit the wall and got airborne but did not turn over. The impact tore the keft rear tire from the car and gouged a hole in the track. McLaughlin was released from the infield care center. The team is building a new car and will not participate today’s qualifying. McLaughlin will start 12th in the Indianapolis 500 next Sunday.

McLaughlin had just turned a lap at 233,557 which stood as the vest of the session. Scott Dixon was the only other driver above 233 mph. Only 10 of the 12 cars turned laps. Marcus Ericsson and Robert Shwartzman did not appear.

In the hour allotted to the cars vying for the last row, Marcus Armstrong was quickest with a lap of 229.776. Jacob Abel was slowest at 227.796.

Pole Day Notes

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Good morning from IMS. Fans are already streaming in for the 1 pm practice.

To review the procedure, the Fast 12 cars practice for one hour, followed by the four cars in the Last Chance Qualifying.

During the qualifying runs, cars make attempts in inverse order of their speeds from yesterday.

The qualifying order

Waving the Green

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White will wave the green flag to start today’s program. White is beginning her second stint coaching the Fever, whose season started yesterday with a 93-58 win over Chicago.

White, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson met with media this morning.

Television

I have heard mixed reviews of FOX qualification coverage. The main issues fan had were the channel switching, full screen commercials, and full screen interviews while cars were on track.

FOX has seemed to be responsive to suggestions so far, and I hope they listen to these complaints. Frankly, from the races I’ve seen on television this year, I’m concerned about the quality of next Sunday’s broadcast.

At the very least, I hope to see a pit stop timer. All interviews and breaks should be side by side, and no commercials the last 15 laps.

I’ll be back with a post practice report a little after 3.

Pole Day

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From IMS:

Sunday, May 18 
 INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, May 17, 2025) – Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying track activity Sunday, May 18 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
SCHEDULE (All times local):
10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Public gates open
1-3 p.m.: Practice. Top 12 Qualifying participants from 1-2 p.m., Last Chance Qualifying participants from 2-3 p.m FS2
.4:05 p.m.: Top 12 Qualifying5:15-6:15 p.m.: Last Chance Qualifying
6:25 p.m.: Firestone Fast Six Qualifying FOX 4-7
TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $35. The general admission ticket will provide the opportunity to move between the IMS infield viewing mounds and first-come, first-served access to selected grandstands to view racing action from different vantage points. Free entry for all military personnel with a valid military ID. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Separate ticket required for entry each day.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN (10 a.m.-7 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11A
PARKING: Free public parking is available in Turn 3 and Lot 7 (North 40). Free ADA accessible parking is available in the following lots: West Museum Lot, Flag Lot, Tower Lot, Northwest Gravel Lot and Lot 7 (North 40). Free motorcycle parking is available in South Carousel Lot. Paid parking is available for $10 in Lot 2, Main Gate Lot, Lot 3P and $20 in Gate 1. Paid ADA parking is available for $10 in Lot 2 and Lot 3P and $20 in Gate 1 Lot
.CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The 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. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in the IMS Museum, Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. 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 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, seniors (55 and over) are $23, and military (former and active) are $18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://imsmuseum.org/tickets/. Gate admission must be purchased as well as Museum admission.

Qualifying Wrap Up

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Photo- Robert Shwartzman (L) and Conor Daly- the ecstasy and agony of Indy 500 Qualifying

Big hits and near misses were the themes of the opening day of qualifying at IMS today. From a somber beginning to an exciting final run, the day contained all the drama a fan could ask for in a qualifying day.

Marcus Armstrong spun and hit the first turn wall in the first few minutes of morning practice. the car was destroyed, and Armstrong rode the ambulance to the infield care center. He was cleared to drive three hours later.

Pato O’Ward took the top spot after his run and held it for several hours.

Colton Herta got loose in turn 1 on his first qualifying lap. The car got airborne, flipped, and slid to the exit of turn 2. Herta got out of the car and walked to the medical van. He was released and cleared to drive.

Conor Daly earned cheers with a run to fifth place around noon, only to be disqualified for failing tech inspection. He returned around three and qualified 16th, but he saved the real drama for the end of the day.

Alex Palou ran the fastest average of the day and held it for the rest of day, despite challenges from Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden.

Shwartzman finds speed– Rookie Robert Shwartzman went from being in danger of missing the race with slow speed early in the week to a spot in the top 12 for tomorrow’s second round. Shwartzman turned the sixth fastest average today.

Disappointments- Kyle Kirkwood appeared to be a contender for the Fast 12, but qualified 25th. Rinus VeeKay, who had qualified in the top 12 three straight years, will need to make the field tomorrow.

Relief for Rahal- Graham Rahal had the 30th fastest speed and is locked in the field. The last couple of years have been a struggle for Rahal to qualify. He failed to qualify forthe race in 2023, but replaced the injured Stefan Wilson.

Late Drama- With kess than 2 hours remaining Colton Herta and Marcus Armstrong were ready to make qualifying runs. Herta barely squeaked in in 29th, but Armstrong will have to attempt to make the last row tomorrow. It was a heroic effort by their teams to get vars on track.

Conor Daly went out in a final attempt to make the top 12 as time was running out. His first three laps gave him an average good enought to advance to Sunday, but the fourth lap fell off too much and he will start 13th. The hometown crowd went home a bit disappointed.

“I didn’t get the weight jacker back in time.” Daly said afterwards. He missed 12th place by 0.84 miles per hour.

The windy conditions played havoc with many qualifying runs, but in the end the breezy situations, which were different in each turn, created an interesting ace day lineup.

Tomorrow the pole is up for grabs and four cars vie for4 the final three spots on the grid.

Results

Full results including all attempts

Current grid by car number

Qualifying Line Complete; Herta Crash

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All cars in the qualifying line have completed their runs, and 29 cars have posted times. Conr Daly’s car failed post qualifying tech inspection and his time has been deleted. Helio Castroneves and Josef Newgarden pulled their cars from the line and no longer have a guaranteed chance to qualify.

Marcus Armstrong’s car is still being rebuilt. He has been cleared to drive. Colton Herta endured a very frightening crash going into turn 1 on his first qualification lap. The car spun, hit the wall and flipped over, then slid along the wall to the exit of turn 2, about a quarter of a mile. Herta was treated and released at the infield care center. (Ed. note- I’m tired of writing this sentence today.)

Alex Palou currently leads with a 233.04 mph average, followed by Scott McLaughlin and Pato O’Ward. Kyle Kirkwood had a very disappointing run and is currently 15th.

Qualifying is about to resume with Newgarden and Castroneves.

The current standings

Armstrong Crash Mars Practice

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Update: Marcus Armstrong was treated and released from the infield care center just moments ago.

Marcus Armstrong suffered a heavy crash in the first minutes of morning practice prior to Indianapolis 500 qualifying. The number 66 Meyer Shank Racing machine got loose enteringt urn 1 of his third lap and made hard contact with the wall, spun into the short chute, ten hit the wall near turn 2.

Armstrong was placed on a stretcher and taken to the infield care center, where he was held for observation for more than an hour.

Only 23 cars ran during the session, which was extended a few minutes due to the lengthy cleanup from Armstrong’s accident.

Results