Indianapolis 500 Starting Grid Row By Row

Indianapolis 500 Starting Grid Row By Row – The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 delivered one of the most competitive grids in recent years. Defending champion Alex Palou claimed pole position with a blistering four-lap average of 232.248 mph, setting the stage for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

American racing fans across the USA know the traditional 11-row, 3-wide format creates drama from green flag to checkered. This official starting grid comes straight from trusted sources including NBC Sports, AutoWeek, and IndyCar.com. Two drivers—Caio Collet (#4) and Jack Harvey (#24)—were moved to the rear due to technical violations, shaking up the final lineup.

Whether you’re reliving race day, planning your next IMS visit, or searching for “Indy 500 starting grid 2026 row by row,” here’s the complete, row-by-row breakdown with driver, car number, team, engine, and qualifying speed.

Row 1: Pole Position and Front Row Contenders

  1. Alex Palou (#10) – Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda – 232.248 mph (2:35.066)
  2. Alexander Rossi (#20) – Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet – 231.990 mph (2:35.1792)
  3. David Malukas (#12) – Team Penske, Chevrolet – 231.877 mph (2:35.2549)

Palou’s second career Indy 500 pole (first in 2023) puts the Spaniard in prime position to become the first repeat winner since 2013. Rossi, a 2016 Indy 500 champion, and Malukas round out a star-studded front row.

Row 2: High-Speed Challengers

  1. Felix Rosenqvist (#60) – Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian, Honda – 231.375 mph (2:35.5914)
  2. Santino Ferrucci (#14) – A.J. Foyt Racing, Chevrolet – 230.846 mph (2:35.9482)
  3. Pato O’Ward (#5) – Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet – 230.442 mph (2:36.2218)

Rosenqvist and O’Ward bring proven speed, while Ferrucci continues to impress in the iconic #14 car for an American team.

Row 3: Mid-Front Pack Talent

  1. Kyffin Simpson (#8) – Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda – 230.883 mph (2:35.9229)
  2. Conor Daly (#23) – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet – 230.712 mph (2:36.0390)
  3. Scott McLaughlin (#3) – Team Penske, Chevrolet – 230.577 mph (2:36.1300)

Simpson (Ganassi) and McLaughlin (Penske) represent two of IndyCar’s powerhouse organizations, with Daly adding hometown Indiana flavor.

Row 4: Veteran Experience Shines

  1. Scott Dixon (#9) – Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda – 230.347 mph (2:36.2860)
  2. Rinus VeeKay (#76) – Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet – 229.585 mph (2:36.8048)
  3. Takuma Sato (#75) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda – 230.995 mph

Four-time IndyCar champion Dixon and two-time 500 winner Sato bring decades of oval mastery to the middle of the field.

Row 5: Mix of Veterans and Rising Stars

  1. Ed Carpenter (#33) – Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet – 230.829 mph
  2. Helio Castroneves (#06) – Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian, Honda – 230.811 mph
  3. Christian Rasmussen (#21) – Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet – 230.705 mph

Castroneves, a four-time Indy 500 winner, starts mid-pack but remains a constant threat on race day.

Row 6: Competitive Mid-Field Battle

  1. Marcus Armstrong (#66) – Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian, Honda – 230.701 mph
  2. Marcus Ericsson (#28) – Andretti Global, Honda – 230.667 mph
  3. Christian Lundgaard (#7) – Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet – 230.661 mph

Ericsson (2022 winner) and Lundgaard highlight the depth of talent beyond the top rows.

Row 7: Late-Qualifying Speed

  1. Will Power (#26) – Andretti Global, Honda – 230.279 mph
  2. Nolan Siegel (#6) – Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet – 230.213 mph
  3. Louis Foster (#45) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda – 230.212 mph

Power, a former series champion, starts further back than usual but carries plenty of winning pedigree.

Row 8: Veteran Presence and Newgarden’s Charge

  1. Ryan Hunter-Reay (#31) – Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet – 230.202 mph
  2. Josef Newgarden (#2) – Team Penske, Chevrolet – 230.165 mph
  3. Romain Grosjean (#18) – Dale Coyne Racing, Honda – 229.791 mph

Newgarden, a two-time 500 winner, will be looking to advance quickly from row eight.

Row 9: Rising American and International Talent

  1. Kyle Kirkwood (#27) – Andretti Global, Honda – 229.607 mph
  2. Katherine Legge (#11) – HMD Motorsports w/ AJ Foyt Racing, Chevrolet – 229.456 mph
  3. Mick Schumacher (#47) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda – 229.450 mph

Legge represents strong female participation, while Schumacher (son of F1 legend Michael) continues his oval learning curve.

Row 10: Back-Midfield Competitors

  1. Graham Rahal (#15) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda – 229.017 mph
  2. Dennis Hauger (#19) – Dale Coyne Racing, Honda – 228.982 mph
  3. Jacob Abel (#51) – Abel Motorsports, Chevrolet – 228.169 mph

Rookie candidates and team owners’ sons add extra storylines here.

Row 11: Rear of the Field and Penalty Adjustments

  1. Sting Ray Robb (#77) – Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet – 226.572 mph
  2. Caio Collet (#4) – A.J. Foyt Racing, Chevrolet – (time disallowed – starts rear)
  3. Jack Harvey (#24) – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet – (time disallowed – starts rear)

Collet and Harvey lost their original qualifying times due to technical infractions and dropped to the back per IndyCar rules.

How the 2026 Indy 500 Grid Was Determined?

Qualifying took place over two weekends in May 2026 at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Fast Six shootout decided the front row, with speeds based on four-lap averages. Backup cars were used by a few drivers after practice incidents, but they retained their earned positions.

Why This Grid Matters for USA Racing Fans?

For fans in Indianapolis, across the Midwest, and nationwide watching on NBC, this lineup blends international stars with American drivers like Rossi, Ferrucci, Daly, Newgarden, and Kirkwood. The mix of Hondas and Chevrolets promises close racing and potential for dramatic passes on the 33-car field.

Official Resources and Where to Find More

Bookmark these trusted sites for the latest updates, printable grids, and post-race analysis:

  • Official IndyCar starting grid page
  • NBC Sports Indy 500 coverage
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway live grid

The 2026 Indianapolis 500 starting grid delivered exactly what fans expect from America’s most prestigious open-wheel race—speed, strategy, and unforgettable storylines. Whether you’re searching for the “Indy 500 row by row lineup” or reliving the action, this official breakdown has you covered. Enjoy the highlights and gear up for next year’s 111th running!