The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) roared to life on May 17, 2025, for the opening day of qualifying for the 109th Indianapolis 500, delivering a spectacle of speed, drama, and heartbreak. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, the reigning three-time NTT IndyCar Series champion, set the tone with a scorching four-lap average of 233.043 mph, securing the fastest time of the day and positioning himself as the driver to beat for pole position. Meanwhile, Marco Andretti, grandson of 1969 Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti, faced a gut-wrenching setback, missing the guaranteed field by a mere 0.004 mph and being relegated to the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Joined by Marcus Armstrong, Rinus VeeKay, and rookie Jacob Abel, Andretti now faces a high-stakes shootout on Sunday, where one driver will miss the 33-car field for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” This article dives into the day’s key moments, Palou’s dominance, Andretti’s struggle, and the broader implications for the Indy 500, set for May 25, 2025.
A Day of Speed and Stakes at IMS
Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 is a grueling test of precision, courage, and engineering. Over nearly seven hours, 34 drivers made 73 attempts to secure one of the 33 starting spots, navigating the 2.5-mile oval under challenging conditions. Cooler temperatures (around 70°F air, 100°F track) compared to Fast Friday’s heat, combined with heavy wind gusts, tested car handling and driver nerve. The format divided outcomes into three groups: the top 12 advancing to Sunday’s Top 12 Qualifying for pole position, the bottom four fighting for three spots in the LCQ, and rows 5–10 (positions 13–30) set for the race.
The day was marked by standout performances, nail-biting margins, and two frightening crashes. Alex Palou’s blistering run stole the headlines, but Marco Andretti’s near-miss and the heroics of drivers like Conor Daly and Colton Herta kept fans on edge. As Motorsport.com noted, “The biggest story is at the other end of the grid,” where Andretti’s fate underscored the unforgiving nature of Indy 500 qualifying.
Alex Palou: The King of Speed
Alex Palou, the 27-year-old Spaniard, continued his 2025 dominance with a commanding performance. Driving the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Palou posted a four-lap average of 233.043 mph at 1:05 p.m., edging out Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin (233.013 mph) and Josef Newgarden (233.004 mph) by a razor-thin 0.039 mph over 10 miles. His run, the 25th of the day, defied the conventional wisdom that early runs benefit from calmer conditions, showcasing his team’s preparation and his own fearless driving.
“It was an amazing day for us,” Palou said in the DEX Imaging Media Center. “We struggled in practice, unable to finish a full qualifying run. It was tough conditions today, but we got our balance right. We had a ton of speed in the car.” Palou’s performance builds on his stellar season, with four wins in the first five races and a 97-point championship lead. As the 2023 Indy 500 pole winner, he’s now poised to become the first repeat pole-sitter since teammate Scott Dixon (2021–2022).
Palou’s run wasn’t just about speed—it was a statement. Despite hitting the track later in the session, he bucked trends and delivered a near-flawless performance, setting the stage for Sunday’s Top 12 Qualifying (4:05 p.m. ET) and Firestone Fast Six (6:25 p.m. ET), where he’ll vie for the NTT P1 Award. Joining him are McLaughlin, Newgarden, Pato O’Ward, Dixon, rookie Robert Shwartzman, David Malukas, Felix Rosenqvist, Takuma Sato, Will Power, Marcus Ericsson, and Christian Lundgaard—a field boasting seven former Indy 500 winners and a mix of seven Chevrolets and five Hondas.
Marco Andretti’s Heartbreak: The LCQ Looms
While Palou basked in glory, Marco Andretti endured a day of frustration. The 2020 Indy 500 pole-sitter, driving for Andretti Herta w/Marco & Curb-Agajanian, made four attempts to lock into the field but fell agonizingly short. His best run, a four-lap average of 229.859 mph, missed Graham Rahal’s 30th-place speed (229.863 mph) by just 0.004 mph—a margin of 0.0028 seconds over 10 miles. With time expiring, Andretti’s team scrambled for another attempt, but Conor Daly’s last-ditch run for Juncos Hollinger Racing took priority, sealing Andretti’s fate.
“We just need to do four solid ones [laps Sunday], and we should be OK,” Andretti said, masking his disappointment. “But just even running tomorrow is a bummer. We have speed problems. I’ve seen it across the garage with big teams. It’s just how it is. I drew that straw this year.” Andretti’s struggle adds to the so-called “Andretti Curse,” with the family claiming only one Indy 500 win (Mario, 1969) despite decades of efforts.
Andretti now faces the LCQ (5:15–6:15 p.m. ET Sunday), where he’ll compete against Marcus Armstrong, Rinus VeeKay, and rookie Jacob Abel for three spots. Armstrong, who crashed heavily in morning practice, managed two attempts in a hastily converted road-course car but couldn’t crack the top 30. VeeKay and Abel also struggled, with Abel’s 226.859 mph the slowest of the day. One driver will be bumped, making “Bump Day” one of IndyCar’s most dramatic traditions.
Drama and Heroics: Herta, Rahal, and Daly Shine
The day wasn’t short on chaos. Colton Herta, Andretti’s teammate, suffered a horrific crash at 12:05 p.m., flipping upside down in Turn 1 after losing grip. The car skidded along the wall, cockpit side down, but Herta emerged unharmed. Remarkably, his team rebuilt a backup car—reusing only the engine—and Herta qualified 29th at 230.192 mph, bumping Andretti out despite not using the weight jacker for balance. “This place doesn’t scare me,” Herta said. “It sucks, but it doesn’t scare me when I get back in the car.”
Graham Rahal, who was bumped in 2023, endured an agonizing wait to secure the 30th spot. His 229.863 mph run at 3:27 p.m. left him on the bubble, watching as Andretti and VeeKay made final attempts. “Two of the guys that ran there at the end, Marco and VeeKay, are two of the guys I respect the most around here,” Rahal said. “This day didn’t start out well, but we found a lot. That beer’s going to taste good tonight.”
Conor Daly provided a hometown highlight, vaulting from 21st to 13th with a 231.725 mph run in the final minutes, despite an earlier disqualification for a front-wing violation. “I investigated holding sixth gear through Turn 1 and 2, and it worked for the middle two laps,” Daly said. “The team deserves to be in the Fast 12, but I made the mistake of pushing too much.” The Indianapolis crowd erupted, underscoring Daly’s popularity as a local hero.
Other Notable Performances
The Top 12 showcased IndyCar’s depth, with eight teams represented. Rookie Robert Shwartzman (PREMA Racing) stunned with a sixth-place run (232.584 mph), while AJ Foyt Racing’s David Malukas (232.546 mph) and Meyer Shank’s Felix Rosenqvist (232.449 mph) delivered career-best Indy 500 qualifying efforts. Team Penske’s McLaughlin and Newgarden, despite missing the top spot, remain threats, with McLaughlin cursing a gearshift error that cost him pole.
Kyle Larson, attempting the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 “double,” qualified 21st at 231.326 mph, a solid but unspectacular debut. His focus now shifts to race day, balancing IndyCar and NASCAR commitments. Meanwhile, veterans like Helio Castroneves (24th, 229.634 mph) and Kyle Kirkwood (25th, 230.917 mph) underperformed, raising questions about their race-day prospects.
The Bigger Picture: Palou’s Dominance and IndyCar’s Parity
Palou’s performance underscores his status as IndyCar’s leading light. With four wins in 2025 and a 2023 Indy 500 pole, he’s chasing his first oval victory—a milestone that could cement his legacy. His ability to deliver under pressure, as noted by RACER, reflects Chip Ganassi Racing’s meticulous preparation and Palou’s mental toughness. Yet, his post-qualifying candor—“I don’t really care [about today], I care about tomorrow”—hints at his focus on the bigger prize: a May 25 victory.
Andretti’s LCQ battle highlights IndyCar’s brutal competitiveness. The 0.004 mph margin between Rahal and Andretti—equivalent to inches over 10 miles—epitomizes the series’ parity. As The Race noted, “Indianapolis 500 qualifying always delivers an incredible spectacle and storylines at 230mph+.” The LCQ will test Andretti’s resilience, with the Andretti name carrying both legacy and pressure.
What’s Next: Sunday’s Showdowns
Sunday, May 18, promises more drama. The Top 12 Qualifying (4:05–5:05 p.m. ET) will narrow the field to the Firestone Fast Six (6:25–6:55 p.m. ET), determining the pole and first four rows. Palou, McLaughlin, and Newgarden are favorites, but surprises like Shwartzman or Malukas could shake things up.
The LCQ (5:15–6:15 p.m. ET) will be a nerve-wracking hour, with Andretti, Armstrong, VeeKay, and Abel fighting for survival. Andretti’s experience and team resources give him an edge, but VeeKay’s 2020 pole and Armstrong’s determination make it anyone’s game. Abel, a rookie, faces the steepest challenge.
All sessions will air live on FOX, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network, with practice sessions for the Top 12 (1–2 p.m.) and LCQ drivers (2–3 p.m.) on FS2.
Implications for Race Day
Palou’s speed positions him as a frontrunner, but the Indy 500’s 200 laps demand strategy, pit execution, and luck. Team Penske’s depth, with McLaughlin and Newgarden, makes them a threat, while Herta’s recovery suggests Andretti Global could rebound. Andretti’s LCQ outcome will shape narratives around the “Andretti Curse,” with a potential bump amplifying the family’s storied struggles.
For fans, the day underscored IndyCar’s unique blend of speed and suspense. As Graham Rahal’s relief and Marco Andretti’s resolve showed, the Indy 500 is as much about heart as horsepower.
Conclusion
The first day of Indy 500 qualifying on May 17, 2025, was a microcosm of motorsport’s highs and lows. Alex Palou’s 233.043 mph masterpiece reaffirmed his dominance, setting the stage for a pole battle against IndyCar’s elite. Marco Andretti’s 0.004 mph shortfall, relegating him to the LCQ, encapsulated the razor-thin margins that define Indianapolis. With Colton Herta’s crash-and-comeback, Conor Daly’s heroics, and Graham Rahal’s redemption, the day delivered drama worthy of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
As Sunday looms, all eyes are on Palou’s pole quest and Andretti’s fight to make the field. The Indianapolis 500, set for May 25, 2025, promises to be a thrilling chapter in IndyCar’s storied history. Whether Palou claims his first Indy 500 win or Andretti defies the odds, one thing is certain: at IMS, every lap tells a story.
For live updates, follow the Indy 500 on FOX or visit indycar.com. Tickets start at $55 for general admission and $80 for reserved seats at indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
