Scott Dixon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the Indianapolis 500. Image: Joe Skibinski
Immediately after Practice 4 at the speedway, the random qualifying draw took place behind the famous Pagoda.
A total of 33 numbered coins were hidden in black boxes laid out on a table.
Most drivers elected to have representatives choose on their behalf, though a select few IndyCar stars took the stage to pick a box at random.
The order of the qualifying draw was based on the results of Practice 4, from fastest to slowest.
Typically, drawing a lower number is considered more favourable with conditions that are coolest during the morning.
Dixon, who was 12th fastest in Practice 4, was joined by his son Kit on stage, whose face lit up at the realisation that he had drawn top spot.
Dixon recalled a serendipitous moment after practice, just prior to the qualifying draw.
“That was great,” said Dixon.
“It was weird though, because after practice I came in the bus and said ‘what number are you going to pull today?’ and he said number one, so there we go.
“He’s definitely back next year, that’s for sure. Good job man.”
Picks 1️⃣. Dabs. Refuses to elaborate.
Kit Dixon, you hero. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/32pVNyUIsf
— Chip Ganassi Racing ⚡️ (@CGRTeams) May 15, 2026
Christian Lundgaard, who won last weekend’s Indianapolis road course race, will roll off of second.
“So far it’s been good,” said the McLaren driver.
“It’s always nice to come back here to the speedway. Firestone has done a pretty good job with giving us some good tyres. The racing this year has been a lot better, even out there today.
“Let’s just hope the rain stays away tomorrow so we’ll all have a clean run.”
On Sunday (AEST), each car will participate in full-field qualifying. Each car will get one run, and positions 16-33 will be decided.
There are some concerns that qualifying could be rained out, with hotter temperatures and inclement weather expected on Sunday (AEST).
Qualifying is slated for 1am AEST with coverage live and exclusively on Stan Sport.
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, qualifying order
Pos
Num
Driver
Team
Engine
1
9
Scott Dixon
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
2
7
Christian Lundgaard
Arrow McLaren
Chevy
3
31
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Arrow McLaren
Chevy
4
33
Ed Carpenter
ECR
Chevy
5
76
Rinus VeeKay
Juncos Hollinger Racing
Chevy
6
3
Scott McLaughlin
Team Penske
Chevy
7
6
Nolan Siegel
Arrow McLaren
Chevy
8
15
Graham Rahal
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Honda
9
2
Josef Newgarden
Team Penske
Chevy
10
26
Will Power
Andretti Global
Honda
11
60
Felix Rosenqvist
Meyer Shank w/ Curb-Agajanian
Honda
12
14
Santino Ferrucci
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Chevy
13
28
Marcus Ericsson
Andretti Global
Honda
14
23
Conor Daly
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Chevy
15
47
Mick Schumacher
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Honda
16
18
Romain Grosjean
Dale Coyne Racing
Honda
17
66
Marcus Armstrong
Meyer Shank w/ Curb-Agajanian
Honda
18
5
Pato O’Ward
Arrow McLaren
Chevy
19
12
David Malukas
Team Penske
Chevy
20
20
Alexander Rossi
ECR
Chevy
21
19
Dennis Hauger
Dale Coyne Racing
Honda
22
77
Sting Ray Robb
Juncos Hollinger Racing
Chevy
23
27
Kyle Kirkwood
Andretti Global w/ Curb-Agajanian
Honda
24
4
Caio Collet
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Chevy
25
6
Helio Castroneves
Meyer Shank w/ Curb-Agajanian
Honda
26
75
Takuma Sato
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Honda
27
21
Christian Rasmussen
ECR
Chevy
28
45
Louis Foster
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Honda
29
8
Kyffin Simpson
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
30
24
Jack Harvey
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Chevy
31
10
Alex Palou
Chip Ganassi Racing
Honda
32
51
Jacob Abel
Abel Motorsports
Chevy
33
11
Katherine Legge
HMD Motorsports w/ AJ Foyt Racing
Chevy