Alex Palou took pole position for the 110th Indianapolis 500. Image: Paul Hurley
The Spaniard surprised even himself after only qualifying 11th in the 33-car all-in session.
That paved the way for Palou’s pole run, setting the second-fastest four-lap average in the Top 12 behind Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist.
Palou ended the Fast Six with a 232.248 mph to his name while Rosenqvist couldn’t convert his blistering speed in the two previous segments to end up fourth fastest.
“These guys, just look at these guys. Incredible work they did today,” said Palou, pointing to his Chip Ganassi Racing team members.
“I have no words. Today, honestly, we didn’t expect to have that much speed.
“We started struggling. I mean, we were 11th not holding anything back.”
Palou joked that going late in the first leg of qualifying, ironically, paid dividends.
During the random qualifying draw, Palou’s wife drew him 31st in the running order.
“I have to say probably being 31st, thanks to my wife for drawing that number,” he said.
“Being there allowed us to work on those conditions.
“Wow. That was incredible. It just feels incredible. A great start to the Month of May, and I can’t thank everybody at CGR enough.”
Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi was the qualifying surprise packet.
The 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner was first up in the Fast Six and set the pace with a 231.990 mph four-lap average – an effort good enough for second.
Third went the way of David Malukas in his first Indianapolis 500 start for Team Penske with a 231.877 mph four-lap average.
Behind Rosenqvist in fourth came AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci (230.846 mph) and Pato O’Ward (230.442 mph) for McLaren.
Results: 110th Indianapolis 500 Qualifying, Fast Six
Pos
Num
Driver
Team
Average Speed
Lap 1
Lap 2
Lap 3
Lap 4
Total Time
1
10
Alex Palou
Chip Ganassi Racing
232.248
232.848
232.347
231.845
231.955
2:35.0066
2
20
Alexander Rossi
Ed Carpenter Racing
231.99
232.568
232.038
231.71
231.645
2:35.1792
3
12
David Malukas
Team Penske
231.877
231.728
231.937
231.769
232.073
2:35.2549
4
60
Felix Rosenqvist
Meyer Shank Racing
231.375
231.765
231.374
231.219
231.144
2:35.5914
5
14
Santino Ferrucci
AJ Foyt Racing
230.846
231.169
230.702
230.581
230.933
2:35.9482
6
5
Pato O’Ward
McLaren
230.442
230.108
230.561
230.589
230.509
2:36.2218