By: Spencer Neff
May 19, 2024

Starting Lineup Qualifying Results

Scott McLaughlin earned pole for next Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 in record-setting fashion. The Kiwi posted a four-lap average of 234.220 mph, narrowly beating Alex Palou’s track record pole run from 2023. It is second only to Arie Luyendyk’s track record run set in 1996.

McLaughlin bested his teammates Will Power and Josef Newgarden. Team Penske swept the front row for the first time since 1988, the only time before today of such an occurrence.

It is his seventh career pole and first at the “500”. McLaughlin also started on the pole in his win at Barber Motorsports Park three weeks ago.

Before today, his best effort was in 2023. Last year, he started and finished 14th. He has yet to lead a lap in his three starts.

On the second row will be the Arrow McLaren duo of Alexander Rossi and Kyle Larson. Larson, who is attempting the first Indianapolis 500-Coke 600 “Double” ran the fastest qualifying lap for a rookie in the final round with a 233.383 first lap. A.J. Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci completed a Chevrolet sweep of the first two rows, their first time doing so in 11 years.

Rinus VeeKay will start seventh and Pato O”Ward follows his Arrow McLaren teammates in eighth. Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist was the best Honda in ninth.

On the fourth row will be Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato, Andretti Global’s Kyle Kiirkwood in a career-best 11th with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing’s Ryan Hunter-Reay in 12th.

Bump Day: Legge, Ericsson and Rahal hang on as Siegel crashes out

The last row of the grid was settled between the Fast 12 and Fast Six. After not qualifying last year, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s survived with a 229.992 mph four-lap average.

Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson overcame early misfortunes and starts 32nd. Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing’s Katherine Legge will lead the last row in 31st.\

Following Ericsson bumping out Dale Coyne Racing’s Nolan Siegel, the rookie went out for a last qualifying run. He would crash in the south chute on his second lap, ending his chance for his debut in the race.

The 33-car field averaged 231.943 mph, second-fastest in history (2023) and 32 drivers logged official runs over 230 mph, most in history.

Up Next

Monday will bring the penultimate on-track session before the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500. Cars will be on track from 1-3.

IndyCar1909 will be on-site at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for all on-track sessions leading up to the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Ganbridge. 

Keep up with all the latest through our social media channels as well.

Header Image By Chris Jones/INDYCAR