By: Spencer Neff
May 14, 2026

Practice 3 Results Combined Practice Results

Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward led the way during Thursday’s six-hour practice session for May 24’s 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The 2022 and 2024 runner-up ended the day with a best lap of 227.308 mph (39.5939 seconds) on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.

Leading his Meyer Shank Racing teammates Marcus Armstrong Felix Rosenqvist (3-4) among the Honda-powered cars, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2001-02, 2009, 2021) Helio Castroneves was second on the lap chart, .0577 of second back of O’Ward.

2016 winner Alexander Rossi of Ed Carpenter Racing finished the Top Five with O’Ward and his Chevrolets. A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet was the fastest of the four rookies in this year’s field of 33, ending the day seventh overall.

Thursday’s practice was the last before turbocharger boost will be increased for qualifying weekend, making no-tow speeds a big point of emphasis.

2017 and 2020 race winner Takuma Sato, a 500-only entry like Castroneves, posted Thursday’s best no-tow lap (223.828-40.2094 seconds) in his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing entry. Sato’s Honda was followed by Scott McLaughlin’s and David Malukas’ Team Penske Chevrolets.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader and 2025 Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou rounded out the Top Five in his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Sato’s teammate Mick Schumacher led the way for the rookies on the no-tow chart.

Like the previous two days, Thursday’s practice session was run without a major incident. Three debris and track inspection cautions halted the running for 27 minutes and 38 seconds.

Up Next 

Spotter Guide Pit Assignments Track Activity Schedule

.Practice for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge continues with one more practice session-this one will feature the turbocharger boost increased from 1.3 to 1.5 bar (about 2 psi) and speeds increasing at leas 8-10 mphFriday on-track activity is scheduled for 12-6 p.m.. ET. FS2 has coverage from 12-4 tomorrow- as well as 12-3 and 5-6 on Friday. FS1 has coverage from 4-6 tomorrow and 3-5 on Friday.

Tomorrow, 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 (FOX) 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 Owens/INDYCAR