By: Spencer Neff
May 22, 2026
Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden led the way in final practice on Friday (Carb Day) for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Newgardern, the 2023 and 2024 race winner posted a best lap of 228.342 on the 2.5-mile oval in Speedway, Indiana. He starts 23rd in his 15th Indianapolis 500.
Following Newgarden on the lap chart was Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen, .1505 of a second back of Newgarden. Rasmussen starts his third “500” from 15th on the grid. Newgarden’s teammate David Malukas was third, matching his starting position for his first appearance in the race with Team Penske.
Dreyer and Reinbold Racing’s Conor Daly finished up a Top Four sweep for Chevrolet and starts eighth as he looks to be the first Indiana-born driver since Wilbur Shaw (1937-1939-40) to win the race. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato was fifth as the 2017 and 2020 winner starts 12th.
Pole sitter, NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader and 2025 race winner Alex Palou was sixth in his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou will start his seventh “500” from his second pole in four years.
Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger was 10th and finished best among the rookies for this year’s race. Aside from a quick stoppage for the slowed Andretti Global car of Marcus Ericsson, who experienced an issue with the right-rear Firestone tire, there were no incidents during the session.
After he was given medical clearance yesterday, Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi was 30th overall and the 2016 race winner starts his 11th 500 from second in the middle of the front row.
He, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward (20th-starts sixth) and Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean (11th-starts 24th) have all goner to back up cars following Monday afternoon’s practice crash. Daly sustained light front wing damage but his car is repaired for the race.
NTT and INDYCAR extend partnership agreement
On Friday morning, INDYCAR and its entitlement sponsor NTT DATA announced an extension of their partnership agreement. NTT DATA has been the entitlement sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES going back to 2019 and has been involved with the series as a team sponsor for more than a decade with Chip Ganassi Racing and now Arrow McLaren.
“Our partnership has evolved from series‑level analytics into an enterprise‑wide AI and data
intelligence collaboration,” said Akira Shimada, president and CEO, NTT.
“In addition to
powering race‑day analytics and enabling AI‑driven intelligence that supports safety,
sustainability and decision‑making, NTT is applying data and AI at scale with our clients and
partners to create a more connected, resilient and responsible future.”
NTT DATA also helped launch a revamped INDYCAR app in 2023.
“Leading into another iconic edition of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ we are thrilled to
continue our world-class partnership with NTT,” said Roger Penske, founder and chairman,
Penske Corporation. “Their significant expertise as a global leader in AI, digital business and
technology services is integral to how we build engagement across INDYCAR’s fanbase and
provide a top-notch customer experience at the Racing Capital of the World. This is a
partnership based on trust and a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, providing all
the foundational attributes necessary for a long-term and highly successful relationship.”
NTT DATA Provides Developments in Sustainability and Safety (per Friday’s release”
Emissions tracking and sustainability accountability were strengthened through carbon
accounting and automated data collection, supporting Penske Entertainment’s “Racing
toward Zero” initiative across 100+ organizations and partners.
A state‑of‑the‑art tracking platform streamlines data collection, reduces reporting gaps and
provides improved visibility for emissions measurement.
AI‑driven Venue Solutions at IMS support real‑time decision‑making across the 1,000‑acre
venue, using predictive modeling, advanced connectivity and analytics to enhance crowd
management, traffic planning and operational safety
Up Next
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 James Black/INDYCAR
IndyCar1909.com 