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.
Good morning. Idseal weather is in store for the first day of qualifications.
Here is the latest from @Indycar_Wxman:
The temperature will be around 62 degrees when Marcus Ericsson rolls off for the first run of the day. The sky will be sunny early with a cloud cover around 4 pm. We should see a very busy afternoon.
The day will be much cooler than yesterday. which may mean faster speed.
The order of qualifying:
There are fast cars both early and late. Going late may not be then issue that it sometimes is with the weather forecast. I think we will see multiple runs by most of the topo pole contenders and thos trying to avoid the bottom four.
Scott Dixon may be able to challenge Alex Palou today. Do not sleep on Kyle Kirkwood. he is sneaky fast and has been at or near the top of the no tow charts all week. Of course, the Penske cars, especially Scott Mclaughlin, will be strong. Can Conor Daly back up his strong runs during the week? Will Robert Shwartzman repeat his speed of yesterday?
While I still think this format needs some tweaks, it does provide for some intrigue. I would prefer limiting cars to four runs, and a driver should lose his time every time he returns to the track. I don’t like giving someone a free test run.
Hybrid deployment may be the key to making the second round tomorrow. Teams tried several different strategies with the unit yesterday.
Enjoy the day. I will provide an update around 4 pm and at the end of the day.
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 16, 2025) – Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying track activity Saturday, May 17 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: SCHEDULE (All times local): 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open 8:30-9:30 a.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice FS2 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying Television 11-1:30 FS1 1:30-4 FS2 4-6 FOX 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 (8 a.m.-6 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 and Lot 3P. 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 8 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.
Early speed and later speed was the order of the day at IMS as teams ran simulated qualifying runs early, waited through the hottesrt part of the afternoon, then came out after the skies became overcast.
Scott McLaughlin had the fastest single lap of the day this very early, a 233,954 mph scorcher, but Scott Dixon edged teammate Alex Palou for the best four lap average.
Kyffin Simpson had a huge wall contact out of turn 4 and got airborne early in the day. he was cleared to drive by the medical staff. Kyle Larson spun and made slight contact in the north short chute. He returned to make a shakedown run later.
The biggest surprise of the day was Robert Shwartzman. The rookie had struggled to find speed all week, but he turned the 13th fastest single lap at 231,295 mph and the eighth fastest four lap average.
Graham Rahal continues to struggle. He ran the 28th fastest single lap and didn’t get a qualifying simulation completed.
The top ten 4 lap averages:
Tomorrow’s forecast is for cooler and windier weather with a high ofm73 and west winds of 15 to 20 knots and gusts of 25-30 knots.
I’ll be back latwer tonight with resultd of the quakifying draw.
Good afternoon from IMS. Some notes on the day so far.
I do not recall a bigger turnout for Fast Friday than I see today. I was in line to park for 15 minutes. The Pagoda Plaza is very busy. The crowd tracks with the announcement made by Doug Boles this morning.
Boles said that there are fewer than 1,000 grandstand seats remaining, mostly between turns 3 and 4, and that the local television blackout is lifted for the race. FOX 59 will re air the race as scheduled Sunday night, conflicting with the Pacers’ first home game of the third round of playoffs.
The sellout, which Boles expects to be complete this weekend, is the first since 2016.
Sonsio Grand Prix Note– Boles told me that tickets for the Grand Prix were up 4% on Friday and 7% on Sunday. He sees no direct correlation between Grand Prix and 500 sales.
On Track– Scott McLaughlin turned a blistering 233.951 mph lap early, and no one has come within two miles an hour of that time. Will Power is second and Christian Rasmussen sits third at the moment.
50 minutes into the session Kyffin Simpson hit r
the wall exiting turn 4. the car lifted but didn’t flip. Simpson slid in to pit entry. He got out of the car under his own power.
Santino Ferrucci seems to have his issues solved. he has a quick lap of 230.389 today.
Graham Rahal continues to struggle. He has the third slowest speed of theafternoon.
Marco Andretti has been the only Andretti Global car on track. Andretti is 10th fastest with 230.510 lap.
Still to make an appearance today- Pato O’Ward, Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson.
I’ll be back at the end of the day with a wrap up and the qualification draw.
Rules had slowed the cars, but they did not slow the drama. Johnny Rutherford’s pole speed of 198 mph just two years ago was a distant memory. Tom Sneva held the top spot in the first hour of qualifying at just over 190 mph. Bobby Unser topped his speed with an average of 191.073 mph. The next car on track, Gordon Johncock, went faster, 91. 652 mph to move to the provisional pole.
A. J. Foyt had yet to qualify. Foyt had taken the green flag but pulled into the pits after just one lap. The car went back to the garage. Foyt later said there was an engine issue.
After repairs, Foyt went out for his second attempt. His first lap was195.313, and his average of 193.976 easily beat Johncock’s time. Foyt went out with the idea of taking any speed above 190 mph. Only four drivers qualified above that mark. Foyt may also have been concerned about the high number of qualifiers that day. Under the rules of that era, he would have started 21st at best if he would have had to qualify the following day.
The pole was Foyt’s second in a row and fourth of his storied Indianapolis 500 career. He had also won poles in 1965 and 1969. At the time Rex Mays was the only other driver to win four poles at the Speedway (1935, 1936, 1940, 1948.)
The 1975 starting front row marked the first time that three former winners started at the front of the field.
Bobby Unser won his second Indianapolis 500 in an event stopped after 435 miles because of rain. Rutherford was second and Foyt finished third. It was the third race shortened by rain in a four year period, with only the 1974 race running the full distance in that time.
Local Delay Lifted for Inaugural Indy 500 Broadcast on FOX
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, May 16, 2025) – As the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES take center stage for the upcoming 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, a massive and historic crowd will greet them with thunderous applause. All reserved seating for Race Day will be sold outfor the first time since the legendary 100th edition of the race in 2016. Right now, a select few tickets remain in the IMS grandstands, with a full reserved seating sellout likely to occur by the checkered flag for Monday’s practice and possibly before the end of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Weekend. Fans who would like a reserved seat for the event are encouraged to visit IMS.com before it’s too late. In tandem with this historic update, event organizers also have lifted the local broadcast delay of the race. Expanded coverage of the very first Indy 500 on FOX starts on Sunday, May 25 at 10 a.m. ET across the country, with the green flag set for approximately 12:45 p.m. ET. “This year, the greatest race on Earth will host one of its biggest and most memorable crowds in many decades,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said. “This is a terrific showcase for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and a great milestone to supercharge our relationship with FOX Sports. It is also absolutely a fitting tribute to the continued leadership and investment of Roger Penske.” While general admission tickets will still be available in the IMS infield through Race Day, the massive grandstands around the 116-year-old 2.5-mile oval, and all hospitality suites, will be completely filled. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility, and the Indy 500 is annually the largest spectator sporting event on the planet, hosting a crowd of approximately 350,000 people. “The very best fans in sports have delivered in historic and fitting fashion for the incredible stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The sheer size and scale of this crowd is going to be massive and will offer an epic backdrop for the very first Indy 500 on FOX. The 109th Running will be a full-scale, nonstop spectacle that draws the eyes of the world to Speedway, Indiana.” Beyond the grandstands, the Hulman Terrace Club is also sold out, and every IMS suite is full. Coors Light Snake Pit wristbands remain available to pair with a General Admission ticket for entry to EDM’s most unique annual event.Anticipation for the 109th Running has had a positive ripple effect throughout the city, as citizens throughout Central Indiana have embraced the 109th Running for months through community initiatives. From racing-themed porch parties to raising “500” flags to racing-themed artwork placed all around Indianapolis, the spirit of the Indy 500 has been a spectacle in itself. FOX Sports also has added new energy to the event, bringing forward significant star power befitting “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” On Wednesday, legendary seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady’s attendance was confirmed, riding in the Fastest Seat in Sports with racing legend Jimmie Johnson. Additional members of the FOX talent team on site include NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, who will drive the Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car, and NFL legend Rob Gronkowski as host of the Coors Light Snake Pit. “FOX Sports is all in on INDYCAR, and this is an incredible accomplishment to celebrate with our first Indy 500 broadcast,” FOX Sports Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer Eric Shanks said. “As a lifelong fan, I am also personally thrilled to see the grandstands filled on Race Day and look forward to broadcasting the race live in Central Indiana.” With a mega crowd traveling May 25 to IMS that exceeds even the massive crowds witnessed in recent years, longtime fans are encouraged to begin their Race Day routines early to take full advantage of the 109th Running experience.Entering the facility in the early-morning hours is the best way to celebrate and experience the excitement of Race Day. Highlights include the fan midway, new concession and vending options and new field activations from FOX Sports. As always, pre-race ceremonies qqqqwill be electric, emotionally charged and star-packed. Fans are encouraged to visit IMS.com and check IMS social media feeds for updates on all ticketing-related information. Remaining Race Weekend experiences are selling fast, and everyone is encouraged to purchase remaining inventory as soon as possible.
INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 15, 2025) – Information about 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge practice track activity Friday, May 16 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: SCHEDULE (All times local): 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Public gates open Noon-6 p.m.: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax Practice 6:15 p.m.: Qualification Order Draw 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. PUBLIC GATES OPEN (10 a.m.-6 p.m.): Gate 1, Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6S, Gate 7, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A 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 and Lot 3P and $20 in Gate 1 Lot. 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.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 