2025 Indianapolis 500: Qualifying Highlights and Insights
On May 17, 2025, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway buzzed with excitement as the first round of qualifying (#1) for the iconic Indianapolis 500 took place. This session was crucial as it determined positions 13 through 30 on the starting grid for the legendary race. Additionally, it set the stage for the FAST12 drivers who would compete for the coveted pole position in the upcoming qualifying rounds. The first qualifying session also identified the four cars that would participate in the BUMP DAY, which determines the final three positions—31st, 32nd, and 33rd—on the grid.
Dominance of Alex Palou
Leading the charge was Alex Palou, the current season champion, who secured the top spot in this qualifying session. The Ganassi Racing driver clocked an impressive time of 2 minutes and 34.478 seconds, based on his combined performance across four laps. Following Palou were two strong contenders from Team Penske: Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden. The top twelve positions were rounded out by notable drivers, including Pato O’Ward, Scott Dixon, and Robert Shwartzman, who emerged as a surprise standout of the day. Other drivers in the top twelve included David Malukas, Felix Rosenqvist, Takuma Sato, Will Power, Marcus Ericsson, and Christian Lundgaard. These drivers will be back for the second qualifying round, which will finalize the positions between 7th and 12th and determine the six drivers competing for the pole in the fourth qualifying session, also known as Pole Day or Fast6.
BUMP DAY and Potential Eliminations
The qualifying format includes a pivotal session known as BUMP DAY (#3), where one of the following drivers will be eliminated: Jacob Abel, Rinus VeeKay, Marcus Armstrong, or Marco Andretti. These drivers struggled in the first session and found themselves at the bottom of the rankings.
In the middle segment of the grid, already confirmed for the race on May 25, 2025, Conor Daly secured the 13th position while Graham Rahal rounded out the grid in 30th place. Helio Castroneves, our representative in the race, faced challenges with car inspections and a lackluster performance initially. However, he managed to secure his spot with a 24th place finish.
A Dramatic Turn for Colton Herta
One of the most dramatic moments of the qualifying session involved Colton Herta. During his first attempt, he lost control of his car, crashing hard into the wall and even flipping over. Fortunately, Herta emerged from the incident unscathed and was able to return to the track just in time to qualify, finishing in 29th place and ensuring his participation in the 2025 Indianapolis 500.
Summary of Qualifying Results
The results from the first round of qualifying are as follows:
- 1st – Alex Palou
- 2nd – Scott McLaughlin
- 3rd – Josef Newgarden
- 4th – Pato O’Ward
- 5th – Scott Dixon
- 6th – Robert Shwartzman
- 7th – David Malukas
- 8th – Felix Rosenqvist
- 9th – Takuma Sato
- 10th – Will Power
- 11th – Marcus Ericsson
- 12th – Christian Lundgaard
- 13th – Conor Daly
- 14th – Alexander Rossi
- 15th – Kyffin Simpson
- 16th – Ed Carpenter
- 17th – Santino Ferrucci
- 18th – Devlin DeFrancesco
- 19th – Sting Ray Robb
- 20th – Christian Rasmussen
- 21st – Kyle Larson
- 22nd – Louis Foster
- 23rd – Callum Ilott
- 24th – Helio Castroneves
- 25th – Kyle Kirkwood
- 26th – Nolan Siegel
- 27th – Ryan Hunter-Reay
- 28th – Jack Harvey
- 29th – Colton Herta
- 30th – Graham Rahal
- 31st to 33rd – To be determined in BUMP DAY
Upcoming Qualifying Schedule
Fans and enthusiasts can look forward to the following qualifying schedule for Sunday, May 18, 2025:
- 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM: Practice Session #7 – Available on INDYCAR LIVE, Disney+ Premium, and live timing platforms.
- 5:05 PM to 6:05 PM: Qualifying Session #2 (Fast 12) – Broadcast on TV Cultura, Cultura Play, ESPN, Disney+ Premium, INDYCAR LIVE, and live timing platforms.
- 6:15 PM to 7:15 PM: Qualifying Session #3 (BUMP DAY) – Also available on TV Cultura, Cultura Play, ESPN, Disney+ Premium, INDYCAR LIVE, and live timing platforms.
- 7:25 PM to 7:55 PM: Qualifying Session #4 (Fast 6) – Viewable on TV Cultura, Cultura Play, ESPN, Disney+ Premium, INDYCAR LIVE, and live timing platforms.
Conclusion
This year’s Indianapolis 500 qualifying sessions are shaping up to be as thrilling as ever, with top drivers vying for position and the chance to make history. Each qualifying round will not only reveal the skill and strategy of these talented racers but also contribute to the overall excitement leading to one of the most prestigious events in motorsport. As we anticipate the next rounds, fans can expect heart-pounding action, surprising performances, and perhaps even a few upsets as the drivers push their limits in pursuit of glory at the Indianapolis 500.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the qualifying rounds progress, and prepare for an unforgettable race day filled with speed, skill, and spectacle.
