By: Spencer Neff
May 12, 2026

Practice Results

Chip Ganassi Racing and Alex Palou got off to a great start in defense of their 2025 victory at the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The current NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader led the way at the checkered flag on Tuesday’s opening six-hour practice at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

Palou notched a best lap of 225.937 mph (39.8342 seconds) toward the end of Tuesday’s practice after working through some minor issues while in the garage during a sizable portion of the afternoon.

After leading the speed chart for most of the day, Marcus Armstrong wound up second in his Meyer Shank Racing entry, whose team shares a technical alliance with CGR. Armstrong was .00074 of a second back of Palou.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing was fastest among the Chevrolet teams behind the Hondas of Palou and Armstrong. Conor Daly was third on the speed chart, with two-time (2023 and 2024) Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden in fourth.

2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon bookended the Top Five for CGR. Of the four rookies entered for the May 24 race, Abel Motorsports’ Jacob Abel posted the fastest lap in 17th. With only 33 cars entered, Abel is guaranteed to make this year’s field after he did not qualify last year.

Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger was best among the drivers making their first appearance at IMS in 26th. Hauger was sidelined for most of the day after water pump and other mechanical issues but rebounded later in the afternoon.

While no-tow speeds will be emphasized more on Friday and throughout qualifying weekend, Andretti Global set an early benchmark.

Kyle Kirkwood had the fastest overall no-tow lap at 222.082 mph (40.5256 seconds), with teammates Will Power and Marcus Ericsson in third and fourth. While Power (2018) and Ericsson (2022) have won the Indianapolis 500, Andretti Global has not since 2017 with Takuma Sato.

Daly’s teammate Jack Harvey continued his no-tow pace in third as the fastest Chevrolet. Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel rounded out the five driver atop the no-tow charts.

After posting the fastest overall lap during April 28-29 Open Test, A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet posted the best no-tow lap between the rookies in eighth.

Only three separate cautions for track inspection slowed today’s on-track running. Those yellows would span 38 minutes and 33 seconds.

Up Next 

Spotter Guide Pit Assignments Track Activity Schedule

Practice for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge continues three more six-hour sessions on Wednesday through Friday, with on-track activity scheduled for 12-6 p.m.. ET. FS2 has coverage from 12-4 on Wednesday and Thursday- as well as 12-3 and 5-6 on Friday. FS1 has coverage from 4-6 on the aforementioned days and 3-5 on Friday.

On Friday evening, the qualifying draw is scheduled for 6:15 pm. Saturday kicks off with split group practices at 8:30 a.m. (FS2) followed by four-lap qualifying from 11-5:50 (FS2 from 11 to 2, FS1 from 2 to 4 and FOX during the final two-hour window until 6:00 (Day 1 qualifying concludes at 5:50 p.m.) Positions 16-33 will be set as well as nine of the 12 drivers vying for the pole on Sunday. 

Sunday practice for the “Final 15” (Positions 10-15) is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET (FS2), with practice for positions 1-9 from Saturday at 2:00.

At 4:00, the three slowest drivers from the “Final 15” will be locked into positions 13-15 and the three fastest will move on to the Fast 12.

The Fast 12 session will begin at 5:00 p.m. and set positions 7-12. At 6:35, the fastest six drivers will run for the pole and set the first two rows on the grid (Positions 1-6).

Monday practice after qualifying is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, May 19. Final Practice will be held on Carb Day (Friday, May 22) at 11:00 a.m (FS1). with the annual Pit Stop Competition at 2:00 (FOX). 

Pre-Race begins at 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 24th with the green flag for the 200-lap race on the 2.5-mile oval at 12:45 p.m. Stick with IndyCar1909.com and our social media platforms for all the latest on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. 

Header Image By Chris Jones/INDYCAR