Felix Rosenqvist topped Fast Friday practice at 233.372 mph as the field prepares for PPG Armed Forces Qualifying Day — here’s everything you need to know.
Top Speed (mph)
Faster Than Thursday
Drivers, Zero Incidents
INDIANAPOLIS — Speed came in a hurry for Felix Rosenqvist on Friday, even if it took a moment to arrive. The Swedish driver in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda for Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian became the first driver this week to crack 233 mph, posting a blistering top lap of 233.372 mph to lead “Fast Friday” practice ahead of the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
“We started pretty slow, to be honest. It’s kind of rare you’re able to crawl out of a hole like that. I think our first run was like a 230-something. We just found basically 3 mph. That’s kind of cool.”
— Felix Rosenqvist, No. 60 SiriusXM Honda
The session’s top speed surged more than 5 mph compared to earlier in the week, thanks to approximately 100 additional horsepower from increased engine boost levels in both Honda and Chevrolet power plants — boost that will also be available during qualifying this weekend. Rosenqvist’s quick run came with an aerodynamic tow from another car, but he was still sixth-fastest on the “no-tow” list at 232.324 mph, validating his solo qualifying potential.
The new father — Rosenqvist and wife Emille welcomed their first child on May 4 — also paced the field in simulated four-lap qualifying attempts, posting a best average of 232.828 mph. That metric matters most heading into Saturday’s qualifying runs.
The Rest of the Top Five
The 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi was second at 232.932 mph in the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet of Ed Carpenter Racing. The 2024 pole winner Scott McLaughlin led early in the session but settled for third at 232.674 in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet, turning just seven laps after being satisfied with his car’s setup. McLaughlin was the fastest driver without the benefit of a tow and had the second-best qualifying simulation average at 232.572 mph. Two-time Indy winner Takuma Sato was fourth at 232.655 in the No. 75 Amada Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, while 2022 winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five at 232.622 in the No. 28 Phoenix Investors Honda for Andretti Global.
Reigning champion and four-time series titlist Alex Palou was second-fastest without a tow at 232.532 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. The session was cut to five hours after morning rain pushed the start back two hours, but all 33 drivers completed 836 laps without a single incident. Jack Harvey led all drivers with 42 laps in the No. 24 DRR INVST Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and 2008 race winner Scott Dixon earned the coveted first position in Saturday’s qualifying line after his son Kit drew the No. 1 coin in the blind qualifying draw held after practice.
What to Know for Qualifying Saturday
📅 Saturday Schedule — PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Day 1
| 8:00 AM | Public gates open |
| 8:30–9:30 AM | Full-field practice — two groups |
| 10:00–10:15 AM | Monster Jam World Speed Record test run |
| 11 AM–2 PM | Qualifying — 103.9 FM, WRBI |
| 2–4 PM | Qualifying — 103.9 FM, WRBI |
| 4–6 PM | Qualifying — 103.9 FM, WRBI |
🎫 Tickets & Admission
| General Adm. | $35 — access to infield viewing mounds and select grandstands on a first-come, first-served basis |
| Military | Free with valid military ID |
| Kids | Free (15 and under) with a paying adult |
| Museum | Open 8 AM–5 PM. Adults $25, Seniors (55+) $23, Military $18. Tickets at imsmuseum.org |
🚗 Parking
| Paid | Main Gate, Lot 2 and Lot 3P — $15 |
| Free | IMS Infield Turn 3 and Lot 7 (North 40) via Gate 10 from 30th St. Free motorcycle parking in South Carousel Lot. |
| ADA Free | West Museum Lot, Flag Lot, Tower Terrace Lot, Northwest Gravel Lot, Lot 7 (North 40) |
| ADA Paid | Gate 1 Lot ($25), Lot 2 and Lot 3P ($15) |
💳 Cashless Facility
IMS is a cashless facility. Bring a debit or credit card — tap-to-pay is accepted. A Cash-to-Card machine converting paper money to a temporary Mastercard/Visa debit card (usable inside or outside the venue) is located in Pagoda Plaza.
What’s at stake Saturday is significant. Positions 16 through 33 on the starting grid for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be locked in during the afternoon qualifying session. The 15 fastest cars will advance to Sunday’s final rounds to compete for the NTT P1 Award and determine the first five rows of the starting grid.
The 110th Indianapolis 500 will be broadcast Sunday, May 24, at 11:30 a.m., on 103.9 FM, WRBI.
WRBIradio.com • Indianapolis Motor Speedway • Source: IndyCar
