The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set to take place this week at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske has secured the pole position after breaking the four-lap qualifying record with an average of 234.220 mph. His teammates, Will Power and defending winner Josef Newgarden, will also start near the front of the grid. Team Penske has faced controversy this year due to a cheating scandal that resulted in suspensions for two senior leaders and two engineers. Despite this, they remain strong contenders for the win.
There are several intriguing storylines heading into the race. Kyle Larson, who qualified fifth, will make his Indy 500 debut and attempt to complete “The Double” by also racing in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same night. Alex Palou will be looking to secure his first Indy 500 victory after coming close in previous years. Additionally, Helio Castroneves has the opportunity to win a record fifth Indy 500. The odds favor McLaughlin as the favorite to win the race, followed by Newgarden and Power. Other top contenders include Larson, Alexander Rossi, and Colton Herta.
The green flag for the Indy 500 will drop at 12:45 p.m. EDT on May 26. The final practice, known as Carb Day, will take place on Friday, with various festivities leading up to the race on Saturday, including the annual Indy 500 parade. McLaughlin will lead the field to the green flag after securing the pole position, with Power and Newgarden joining him on the front row. Larson will start in the middle of the second row alongside Rossi and Santino Ferrucci, giving Chevrolet-powered cars a strong presence at the front of the grid.
Race coverage for the Indy 500 will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with pre-race festivities airing on NBC, Peacock, and Universo. Fans can tune in to watch the action unfold as the 33-car field takes on the historic oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With a mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers, the race is sure to provide plenty of excitement and drama. As the countdown to the green flag continues, anticipation builds for what is known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
