Indy 500 Starting Grid With Drivers

Indy 500 Starting Grid With Drivers – The 2026 Indianapolis 500 delivered one of the most anticipated starting grids in recent memory for the 110th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Held on May 24, 2026, at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the grid featured defending champion Alex Palou on pole and a deep field of 33 drivers battling for glory in front of packed grandstands across America. Whether you’re a die-hard IndyCar fan in Indianapolis, Chicago, or watching from home in California or Texas, this complete 2026 Indy 500 starting grid guide has everything you need.

Pole Position and Front Row for the 2026 Indy 500

Alex Palou earned his second career Indy 500 pole with a blistering four-lap average of 232.248 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. The Spaniard, fresh off his 2025 victory, became the first defending winner to start from P1 since 2019.

Row 1 lineup:

  • 1st: Alex Palou (#10, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda, 232.248 mph)
  • 2nd: Alexander Rossi (#20, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet, 231.990 mph)
  • 3rd: David Malukas (#12, Team Penske, Chevrolet, 231.877 mph)

Rossi (a Nevada City, California native and 2016 Indy 500 winner) and Chicago’s David Malukas gave American fans plenty to cheer for on the front row.

Full 2026 Indianapolis 500 Starting Grid by Row

Here is the complete official starting lineup for the 2026 Indy 500 (all cars use Dallara chassis and Firestone tires):

Row 1

  1. Alex Palou (#10, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda)
  2. Alexander Rossi (#20, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet)
  3. David Malukas (#12, Team Penske, Chevrolet)

Row 2

  1. Felix Rosenqvist (#60, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, Honda)
  2. Santino Ferrucci (#14, AJ Foyt Racing, Chevrolet)
  3. Pato O’Ward (#5, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet)

Row 3

  1. Kyffin Simpson (#8, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda)
  2. Conor Daly (#23, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet)
  3. Scott McLaughlin (#3, Team Penske, Chevrolet)

Row 4

  1. Scott Dixon (#9, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda)
  2. Rinus VeeKay (#76, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet)
  3. Takuma Sato (#75, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda)

Row 5

  1. Ed Carpenter (#33, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet)
  2. Hélio Castroneves (#06, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, Honda)
  3. Christian Rasmussen (#21, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet)

Row 6

  1. Marcus Armstrong (#66, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, Honda)
  2. Marcus Ericsson (#28, Andretti Global, Honda)
  3. Christian Lundgaard (#7, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet)

Row 7

  1. Will Power (#26, Andretti Global, Honda)
  2. Nolan Siegel (#6, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet)
  3. Louis Foster (#45, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda)

Row 8

  1. Ryan Hunter-Reay (#31, Arrow McLaren w/ Legacy Motor Club, Chevrolet)
  2. Josef Newgarden (#2, Team Penske, Chevrolet)
  3. Romain Grosjean (#18, Dale Coyne Racing, Honda)

Row 9

  1. Kyle Kirkwood (#27, Andretti Global, Honda)
  2. Katherine Legge (#11, HMD Motorsports w/ AJ Foyt Racing, Chevrolet)
  3. Mick Schumacher (R) (#47, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda)

Row 10

  1. Graham Rahal (#15, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda)
  2. Dennis Hauger (R) (#19, Dale Coyne Racing, Honda)
  3. Jacob Abel (R) (#51, Abel Motorsports, Chevrolet)

Row 11

  1. Sting Ray Robb (#77, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet)
  2. Caio Collet (R) (#4, AJ Foyt Racing, Chevrolet)
  3. Jack Harvey (#24, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet)

Note: Caio Collet and Jack Harvey had their qualifying times disallowed for technical violations and started at the rear per IndyCar rules.

American Drivers to Watch on the 2026 Indy 500 Grid

U.S. fans had strong hometown representation with drivers like:

  • Alexander Rossi (California) — two-time Indy 500 winner
  • David Malukas (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Santino Ferrucci (Connecticut native)
  • Conor Daly (Indiana)
  • Ed Carpenter (Indiana)
  • Josef Newgarden (Tennessee)
  • Ryan Hunter-Reay (Florida)
  • Kyle Kirkwood, Graham Rahal, and Katherine Legge (long-time American IndyCar staple)

These stars brought extra excitement for race-day crowds from coast to coast.

Four Rookies and Veteran Legends on the 2026 Grid

The field included four rookies: Mick Schumacher, Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger, and Jacob Abel. On the veteran side, multiple former Indy 500 winners lined up, including Palou, Rossi, Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato, Hélio Castroneves, Marcus Ericsson, Will Power, Josef Newgarden, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

How the 2026 Indy 500 Starting Grid Was Determined?

Qualifying took place on May 17, 2026, using the traditional “Fast Nine,” “Fast 12,” and “Last Chance” format at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. No drivers were bumped for the first time since 2022, making for a competitive and drama-filled session.

Where to Find the Official 2026 Indy 500 Starting Grid & Results?

For the most accurate info, check these trusted sources:

  • Official IndyCar starting lineup PDF
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway live grid page
  • IndyCar.com schedule section

These remain the go-to spots for USA fans wanting printable grids, team details, or post-race updates.

The 2026 Indy 500 starting grid set the stage for an unforgettable race that lived up to the hype with one of the closest finishes in Indianapolis 500 history. Save this guide, share it with fellow race fans, and stay tuned to IndyCar for the full season ahead! If you’re planning a trip to the Brickyard or just love open-wheel racing, the 2026 grid remains one of the strongest in years.