TV crew follows a car leaving pit road to begin a qualifying run
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Qualifying Format

Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge

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FULL-FIELD QUALIFYING

SATURDAY, MAY 18 | 11:00 AM - 5:50 PM

Positions 1-30 qualify with positions 13-30 (or 13-33*) set. Will not re-qualify on Sunday.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers and teams will attempt to qualify during Day One, Saturday, May 18. Top 12 qualifying (final order of positions 7-12), Firestone Fast Six (final order of positions 1-6) and, if necessary, Last Chance Qualifying (positions 31-33) will be determined during Day Two, Sunday, May 19. Once every car in the qualifying order for Saturday has been presented at least one chance to qualify, teams may choose from two lanes for second and subsequent attempts. Cars in the priority lane (Lane 1) must withdraw their qualified time – if the car has one – but get priority access to the track ahead of Lane 2. Lane 2 is for cars that have already qualified but wish to improve their position.

For an entry list of more than 33, once cars are outside of the Top 30, they are considered to not have a qualification speed as only positions 1-30 will be locked in during Day One.

A graphic showing the field of 33 cars with the the last row highlighted in black, rows 6 - 10 highlighted in gold, rows 3 & 4 in dark grey and the first two rows in light grey
A graphic depicting the top twelve cars with the last six in dark grey and the first six in light grey

TOP 12 QUALIFYING

Sunday, May 19 | 3:05 PM - 4:05 PM

POSITIONS 7-12 DETERMINED

Order based on Saturday times, slowest to fastest.

Each car is guaranteed one attempt.

The fastest six advance to the Firestone Fast Six to determine positions 1-6.

A graphic depicting the three cars in the last row and a car noted at bumped out

LAST CHANCE QUALIFYING*

Sunday, May 19 | 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

POSITIONS 31-33 DETERMINED

Each car is guaranteed one attempt and may make multiple attempts until time expires. Until 10 minutes remain in the session, cars will be allowed an additional cool-down lap following each qualifying run to expedite engine cooling and the opportunity to get in line for additional attempts, if desired. Each car’s most recent qualification speed will remain eligible for the starting lineup until the time is withdrawn or qualifications end.

A graphic depicting six cars on the grid with the pole position highlighted

FIRESTONE FAST SIX

Sunday, May 19 | 5:25 PM - 5:55 PM

POSITIONS 1-6 DETERMINED

Order based on times from Top 12 qualifying, slowest to fastest.

Each car is guaranteed one attempt. The fastest driver in the Firestone Fast Six will earn the coveted NTT P1 Award for pole.