Palou Wins Pole

Alex Palou captured the Indianapolis 500 pole at 232.248 mph, but post-qualifying penalties for A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing reshuffled the back of the grid.

May 17, 2026 | Indianapolis, Ind.

INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Palou’s remarkable run to the Indianapolis 500 pole Sunday was nearly overshadowed by a stunning post-qualifying scandal that sent two teams to the back of the 33-car field following post-qualifying technical violations.

INDYCAR Officiating announced after Sunday’s session that A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing had their qualifying results disallowed following the discovery of illegal modifications to energy management system components on both cars. Caio Collet, driving the No. 4 for Foyt, and Jack Harvey, piloting the No. 24 for DRR, will now start from the rear of the field, their qualifying times wiped from the books.

The infractions cast a shadow over what had been a genuinely dramatic afternoon — one that saw 33 drivers squeeze an entire qualifying weekend into a single sun-drenched Sunday after persistent rain washed out Saturday’s session entirely.

Palou Rises to the Occasion

Against that chaotic backdrop, Palou was nothing short of brilliant. The reigning four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and defending Indianapolis 500 winner claimed the NTT P1 Award — and a $100,000 bonus — with a four-lap average of 232.248 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, earning his second career Indy 500 pole. He also won the pole in 2023.

“I have no words. So, that was incredible. It just feels incredible. Great start to the Month of May.”

— Alex Palou, Pole Winner & Defending Indianapolis 500 Champion

What made Palou’s pole even more impressive was the mountain he had to climb. His wife, Esther, drew the 31st qualifying position in Friday’s blind draw, meaning Palou hit the track more than two hours after teammate Scott Dixon, who drew the coveted first slot. By then, air temperatures had climbed into the mid-80s, with track temperatures running roughly 10 degrees hotter than at the session’s open.

He barely survived the first round, sneaking through in 11th place. Then he turned it on when it mattered most.

“Being on the 31st — thanks to my wife, by the way for drawing that number — I think being there allowed us to work on those conditions.”

— Alex Palou

With the pole, Palou became the first reigning Indianapolis 500 winner to claim the pole since Helio Castroneves in 2010. It was also the 15th NTT P1 Award of his INDYCAR career.

The Starting Grid: Firestone Fast Six

*Collet and Harvey moved to the rear of the field per INDYCAR post-qualifying technical inspection penalties.

Felix Rosenqvist, who had led every prior round of qualifying Sunday and entered the Firestone Fast Six as the presumed pole favorite, had to settle for fourth. The Swede was visibly frustrated after falling off in the final round.

“It’s a shame. It’s kind of déjà vu for me. I’ve had this three times now when I’ve gone into the last round and had to finish it off. It’s kind of like a curse. But it is what it is. We’ll just focus on the race.”

— Felix Rosenqvist, 4th Qualifier

Brendan Fraser to Wave the Green Flag

Away from the controversy, the Speedway also announced that Academy Award-winning actor Brendan Fraser will serve as the honorary starter, waving the green flag from atop the flag stand on May 24.

Fraser — who won the Best Actor Oscar for 2022’s The Whale — was born in Indianapolis, making his return to the Speedway a homecoming of sorts. He stars in Pressure, an upcoming Focus Features film debuting in theaters May 29, portraying General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the tense 72 hours before the D-Day invasion.

“Brendan stars in a movie about one of the most pivotal moments in World War II. His presence atop the flag stand is fitting as we honor the service and sacrifice of our military heroes on Memorial Day Weekend.”

— J. Douglas Boles, INDYCAR and IMS President

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