By: Spencer Neff
May 17, 2026
Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden led the way during Monday afternoon’s practice for the Indianapolis 500. Newgarden, the 2023 and 2024 winner, notched a best lap of 226.196 mph (39.7882 seconds) at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He will start 23rd (moved from 24th after penalties-more on that in a second) in his attempt for a third win in four years. Each of the last two years, the fastest car in Monday practice has won the race. Newgarden accomplished this in 2024 followed by pole sitter Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing last year. Simon Pagenaud in 2019 his the only driver aside from that pair to win after leading Monday practice.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato finished second, .0836 of a second back of Newgarden’s Chevrolet in the fastest Honda of the 33-car field. Sato will start 12th as he looks for his third win in ten years (2017 and 2020).
Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger finished as best rookie among five previous Indianapolis 500 winners in the Top Six. Arrow McLaren’s Ryan Hunter-Reay (starts 22nd-won in 2014), Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson (starts 17th, won in 2022) and CGR’s Scott Dixon (won in 2008-starts 10th) followed Hauger.
A quarter of the way into Monday’s two-hour session, the first incident of the month occurred. Exiting Turn 2, Alexander Rossi got loose and heavy impact with the outside retaining wall. While sliding down the back straightway, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward collided with Rossi and Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean sustained damage. Dreyer and Reinbold Racing’s Conor Daly sustained minor front wing and underwing damage but continued on.
Each of the aforementioned drivers involved climbed from their cars, Groshean and O’Ward were released from the infield medical unit shortly after. Rossi, who climbed from his car with a slight limp, was later transported to a local hospital for further evaluation but is “awake, alert and in good spirits”, per INDYCAR Medical Director, Dr.. Julia Vaizer.
Following the cleanup, running continued until inclement weather in the area forced the early stoppage.
Collet and Harvey moved to 32nd and 33rd after penalties
On Sunday evening, the No. 4 A.J. Foyt Racing car of Caio Collet and the No. 24 Dreyer and Reinbold Racing entry of Jack Harvey were penalized. INDYCAR released the following statement on Sunday evening:
“During post-qualifying inspection of car Nos. 4 and 24, INDYCAR Officiating discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved hardware. According to the INDYCAR rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied.
A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing were in violation of:
- Rule 14.12.1.1. EMS must be used as supplied by Dallara and approved by INDYCAR.
- Rule 14.12.1.6. EMS covers may only be attached with the supplied hardware and Helicopter Tape.
Both cars (Nos. 4 and 24) have had their qualifying results disallowed and have been re-ordered to the rear of the field in order of entrant points.
Additionally, Car No. 4 had its three Indy 500 qualification points also disallowed. Subsequently, Car Nos. 9 and 76 will be awarded 10th and 11th place Indy 500 qualification points. Car No. 75 is ineligible for qualification points as it did not participate in Top 12 qualifying.
Car Nos. 4 and 24 also will forfeit their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the remainder of the field has an opportunity to adjust accordingly.
Members may contest the imposition of the penalties detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES rulebook.”
Neither team will contest the aformentioned penalties. All drivers from 11th to 28th are moved up one spot on the grid. Drivers who qualified 30th to 33rd are moved up two spots
Up Next
Spotter Guide Starting Grid Pit Assignments Track Activity Schedule
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 Paul Hurley/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 