The 2025 Indy 500 Starting Grid: A New Era in Racing
The starting grid for the highly anticipated 2025 Indy 500 has officially been announced, and the spotlight shines brightly on Robert Shwartzman, who will take the pole position for this year’s race scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2025. The rookie driver from the debuting PREMA team turned heads by dramatically reversing expectations from the very first day of testing, emerging as a major surprise and undoubtedly the star of the qualifying rounds for the 109th edition of the Indianapolis 500—an essential event in the 2025 INDYCAR Series.
Shwartzman’s impressive performance began during the first qualifying session held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, where he secured the sixth fastest average speed, making it into the top twelve cars competing in the FAST12 on Sunday, May 18. The elite group included notable names such as Palou, McLaughlin, Newgarden, Pato, Dixon, Malukas, Rosenqvist, Sato, Power, Ericsson, and Lundgaard. Following this, Shwartzman solidified his place in the pole position shootout, excelling in the FAST6 on Pole Day, where he achieved an outstanding average speed, earning him the coveted honor of starting at the front of the grid in this monumental race.
Complete Starting Grid for the 2025 Indy 500
The excitement surrounding the Indy 500 is palpable, and fans are eager to see how the race unfolds with the following lineup:
- Robert Shwartzman (PREMA)
- Takuma Sato (Dale Coyne Racing)
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren)
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Felix Rosenqvist (Arrow McLaren)
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- David Malukas (Dale Coyne Racing)
- Christian Lundgaard (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing)
- Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Scott McLaughlin (Penske Racing)
- Josef Newgarden (Penske Racing)
- Will Power (Penske Racing)
- Conor Daly (Ed Carpenter Racing)
- Graham Rahal (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing)
- Helio Castroneves (Meyer Shank Racing)
- Rinus VeeKay (Ed Carpenter Racing)
- Marco Andretti (Andretti Autosport)
- Jacob Abel (ABEL Motorsports)
- Marcus Armstrong (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Devlin DeFrancesco (Andretti Autosport)
- James Hinchcliffe (HMD Motorsports)
- J.R. Hildebrand (A.J. Foyt Enterprises)
- Helio Castroneves (Meyer Shank Racing)
- Santino Ferrucci (AJ Foyt Racing)
- Tony Kanaan (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Bump Day Eliminations: Jacob Abel
Schedule, Timings, and Viewing Options
As the racing world gears up for the biggest event of the year, here’s what to expect during race weekend:
Friday, May 23, 2025
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Practice Session #9 – Carb Day – Available on INDYCAR LIVE, Disney+ Premium, and Live Timing
- 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Pit Stop Challenge
Sunday, May 25, 2025 – Race Day!
- 1:30 PM: Race Start for the Indianapolis 500 – Broadcast on TV Cultura, Cultura Play, ESPN, Disney+ Premium, INDYCAR LIVE, and Live Timing
For a complete schedule, including results from previous sessions leading up to the race, fans can visit official INDYCAR channels for the latest updates.
Understanding the Grid Formation Process
The path to establishing the starting grid for the Indy 500 began on Saturday, May 17, with the first qualifying session, which determined positions 13 through 30. Conor Daly managed to secure the 13th spot, while Graham Rahal landed in 30th. Our representative, Helio Castroneves, faced challenges with car inspections and had a rough attempt but ultimately secured a place in the race, starting from the 24th position. More details about the first qualifying day can be found in the official reports.
On Sunday, May 18, the remaining qualifying sessions unfolded, including Qualifying Session #2 (FAST12), Qualifying Session #3 (BUMP DAY), and finally, Qualifying Session #4 (POLE DAY/FAST6). The FAST12 session proved to be particularly challenging for Team Penske. Scott McLaughlin was unable to compete in this session due to damages incurred in a previous practice session, while Josef Newgarden and Will Power were disqualified due to inspection issues. This led to a dramatic reshuffling of the grid.
The following drivers emerged victorious during the pole position showdown (POLE DAY/FAST6): Felix Rosenqvist, Pato O’Ward, Robert Shwartzman, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, and Takuma Sato. Positions 7 through 12 were filled by Malukas, Lundgaard, Ericsson, McLaughlin, Newgarden, and Power. In a surprising turn of events, following a review of Team Penske’s infractions, Newgarden and Power were disqualified, placing them in 32nd and 33rd positions, respectively.
Before the highly anticipated pole position session, the BUMP DAY allowed drivers who finished in the bottom four positions from the previous day’s qualifying to compete for a spot. Participants included Jacob Abel, Rinus VeeKay, Marcus Armstrong, and Marco Andretti. Ultimately, Jacob Abel was eliminated after the combined laps.
The highlight of the weekend, the Pole Day session, delivered one of the most thrilling performances in recent memory. Following solid runs from Takuma Sato, Alex Palou, and Scott Dixon, Robert Shwartzman achieved an impressive average speed of 232.790 mph, securing his place at the front of the grid and withstanding challenges from Pato O’Ward and Rosenqvist in the process.
This thrilling narrative marks not just the culmination of a successful qualifying campaign for Shwartzman but also serves as the beginning of what many hope will be a remarkable journey in the IndyCar series. As he prepares to lead the field at the 2025 Indianapolis 500, anticipation builds among fans, eager to witness this historic race unfold.
Conclusion
As the countdown to the 2025 Indy 500 continues, spectators and racing enthusiasts alike are filled with excitement about the upcoming race. The grid is set, and the stage is ready for an exhilarating showdown at one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the world. With a mix of seasoned veterans and ambitious newcomers, the race promises to deliver unforgettable moments and fierce competition. Stay tuned as we approach race day, and keep an eye on the unfolding storylines that make the Indy 500 a beloved tradition in motorsports.
