Indy 500 Starting Grid Row by Row

Indy 500 Starting Grid Row by Row – American racing fans, get ready for the ultimate pre-race breakdown of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Held on May 24, 2026, at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the starting grid was set after one of the most competitive qualifying sessions in recent years. Alex Palou claimed his spot on pole with a blistering four-lap average of 232.248 mph, but the entire 33-car field is packed with talent, veterans, and rising stars.

Whether you’re streaming on NBC, heading to the track, or building your Indy 500 pool sheet, this complete row-by-row guide has everything you need. We’ve pulled the latest official data from IndyCar, NBC Sports, and trusted motorsports outlets so you can follow every driver from the green flag drop.

2026 Indy 500 Qualifying Recap: How the Grid Was Set?

Qualifying for the Indy 500 is a high-stakes, multi-day process unique to this American motorsport classic. Drivers first compete in groups, then advance to Fast 12, Fast 6, and finally the pole shootout. Speeds are calculated over four laps (roughly 10 miles), with the fastest earning the inside front row.

Field average speed hit 230.241 mph. A few post-qualifying adjustments moved Caio Collet and Jack Harvey to the rear due to technical infractions, but most positions held firm. Defending champion Alex Palou started on pole again, setting up a thrilling 200-lap battle on the 2.5-mile oval.

Row 1: The Front Row – Pole Position Showdown

The fastest three drivers in the field line up here, with Palou leading the charge for Chip Ganassi Racing.

  • Position 1: Alex Palou (#10, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda) – 232.248 mph (2:35.0066)
  • Position 2: Alexander Rossi (#20, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet) – 231.990 mph (2:35.1792) – 2016 Indy 500 winner
  • Position 3: David Malukas (#12, Team Penske, Chevrolet) – 231.877 mph (2:35.2549)

This all-star front row features two former winners and a Penske powerhouse – a dream start for fans watching from Indianapolis to California.

Row 2: High-Speed Contenders Ready to Strike

  • Position 4: Felix Rosenqvist (#60, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, Honda) – 231.375 mph (2:35.5914)
  • Position 5: Santino Ferrucci (#14, A.J. Foyt Racing, Chevrolet) – 230.846 mph (2:35.9482)
  • Position 6: Pato O’Ward (#5, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet) – 230.442 mph (2:36.2218)

Rosenqvist and O’Ward are perennial threats, while Ferrucci brings the grit that makes the Indy 500 must-watch TV across the USA.

Row 3: Mid-Pack Power with Upset Potential

  • Position 7: Kyffin Simpson (#8, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda) – 230.883 mph (2:35.9229)
  • Position 8: Conor Daly (#23, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet) – 230.712 mph (2:36.0390) – Indiana native fan favorite
  • Position 9: Scott McLaughlin (#3, Team Penske, Chevrolet) – 230.577 mph (2:36.1300)

Daly’s hometown crowd at IMS will be roaring loud for this row.

Row 4: Veteran Experience Meets Consistent Speed

  • Position 10: Scott Dixon (#9, Chip Ganassi Racing, Honda) – 230.347 mph (2:36.2860) – Multiple-time winner
  • Position 11: Rinus VeeKay (#76, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet) – 229.585 mph (2:36.8048)
  • Position 12: Takuma Sato (#75, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda) – 230.995 mph (2:35.8447) – Two-time Indy 500 champion

Dixon and Sato bring decades of oval mastery to the middle of the pack.

Row 5: The Most Experienced Row on the Grid

  • Position 13: Ed Carpenter (#33, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet) – 230.829 mph (2:35.9593)
  • Position 14: Hélio Castroneves (#06, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, Honda) – 230.811 mph (2:35.9717) – Four-time winner
  • Position 15: Christian Rasmussen (#21, Ed Carpenter Racing, Chevrolet) – 230.705 mph (2:36.0434)

Row 5 boasts a combined 49+ Indy 500 starts – the most experienced on the grid.

Row 6: International Flair and Rising Stars

  • Position 16: Marcus Armstrong (#66, Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian, Honda) – 230.701 mph
  • Position 17: Marcus Ericsson (#28, Andretti Global, Honda) – 230.667 mph – 2022 winner
  • Position 18: Christian Lundgaard (#7, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet) – 230.661 mph

Row 7: Penske and McLaren Power in the Middle Pack

  • Position 19: Will Power (#26, Andretti Global, Honda) – 230.279 mph – Former champion
  • Position 20: Nolan Siegel (#6, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet) – 230.213 mph
  • Position 21: Louis Foster (#45, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda) – 230.212 mph

Row 8: Former Winners and Veteran Warriors

  • Position 22: Ryan Hunter-Reay (#31, Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet) – 230.202 mph – 2014 winner
  • Position 23: Josef Newgarden (#2, Team Penske, Chevrolet) – 230.165 mph – Multi-time winner
  • Position 24: Romain Grosjean (#18, Dale Coyne Racing, Honda) – 229.791 mph

Newgarden and Hunter-Reay give this row serious championship pedigree.

Row 9: Midfield Battle with Rookie Intrigue

  • Position 25: Kyle Kirkwood (#27, Andretti Global, Honda) – 229.607 mph
  • Position 26: Katherine Legge (#11, HMD Motorsports w/ A.J. Foyt Racing, Chevrolet) – 229.456 mph
  • Position 27: Mick Schumacher (#47, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda) – 229.450 mph (Rookie)

Row 10: Late-Qualifying Push with Rookie Talent

  • Position 28: Graham Rahal (#15, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Honda) – 229.017 mph
  • Position 29: Dennis Hauger (#19, Dale Coyne Racing, Honda) – 228.982 mph (Rookie)
  • Position 30: Jacob Abel (#51, Abel Motorsports, Chevrolet) – 228.169 mph (Rookie)

Row 11: Back of the Pack – Starting from the Rear Adjustments

  • Position 31: Sting Ray Robb (#77, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Chevrolet) – 226.572 mph
  • Position 32: Caio Collet (#4, A.J. Foyt Racing, Chevrolet) – Originally qualified higher but moved to rear due to infraction
  • Position 33: Jack Harvey (#24, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Chevrolet) – Originally qualified higher but moved to rear due to infraction

Key Storylines Every USA Fan Should Know

Palou’s third consecutive strong qualifying performance, multiple former winners scattered throughout the field, and four rookies (including F1 alum Mick Schumacher) make this one of the most open Indy 500s in years. American drivers like Rossi, Malukas, Daly, Newgarden, and Power give home fans plenty to cheer about on NBC.

Official Sources & Where to View the 2026 Indy 500 Grid

Download the official IndyCar PDF starting lineup or check the IMS live grid page for radio frequencies and more. Printable grids are available from IndyStar and WTHR for your race-day pool or track visit.

Bookmark this page for the definitive 2026 Indy 500 starting grid row by row – the ultimate resource for every American IndyCar fan. Who’s your pick to win from these positions? The green flag is down, and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing is underway!