By: Spencer Neff
May 20, 2024

In the first of two final pre-race practices after the field has been set, Josef Newgarden of Team Penske led the way.

After qualifying third, Newgarden looks to become the first repeat winner of the “500” since Helio Castroneves (2001-2002) and pocket an extra $440,000 from Borg-Warner.

In Monday’s two-hour session, he turned a best lap of 226.238 mph (39.7811 seconds) on the 2.5-mile oval.

Following Newgarden’s lap was Andretti Global’s Colton Herta, who starts 13th. He was .0028 of a second back of Newgarden’s best lap. Herta was the lone Honda in the Top Six.

Newgarden’s teammate Will Power was third and will start second on Sunday. Newgarden and Power are the first since 1994 to qualify on the front row as both teammates and former race winners.

The last time it happened was Al Unser Jr and Emerson Fittipaldi qualifying first and third in 1994.

Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Agustin Canapino was fourth and starts his second “500” in 22nd.

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward completed the Top Five and rolls off eighth in Sunday’s 200-lap race.

Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen made it five Chevrolet entries in the Top Six and was the fastest of the six rookies. Rasmussen starts his NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval debut in 27th.

Pole sitter Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske was 20th as he will lead Penske’s second front row seep and first since 1988. It is the only two such occurrences of a team qualifying 1-2-3 in the race’s history.

After qualifying fifth, fellow rookie Kyle Larson was 28th on the time sheet.

There were no major incidents during the session. Tom Blomqvist of Meyer Shank Racing did slide down pit lane but was able recover with no damage.

Cars will not be on track until Friday.

Up Next

The final on-track session before the 108th Indianapolis 500 will be the two-hour practice on Friday (Carb Day) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m..

After that will be the annual Pit Stop Competition.

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