{"id":677643,"date":"2026-05-18T00:43:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T00:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/677643\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T00:43:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T00:43:21","slug":"alex-palou-surges-to-surprise-indianapolis-500-pole-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/677643\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Palou surges to surprise Indianapolis 500 pole position"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Palou
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlex Palou took pole position for the 110th Indianapolis 500. Image: Paul Hurley<\/p>\n

The Spaniard surprised even himself after only qualifying 11th in the 33-car all-in session.<\/p>\n

That paved the way for Palou\u2019s pole run, setting the second-fastest four-lap average in the Top 12 behind Meyer Shank Racing\u2019s Felix Rosenqvist.<\/p>\n

Palou ended the Fast Six with a 232.248 mph to his name while Rosenqvist couldn\u2019t convert his blistering speed in the two previous segments to end up fourth fastest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese guys, just look at these guys. Incredible work they did today,\u201d said Palou, pointing to his Chip Ganassi Racing team members.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no words. Today, honestly, we didn\u2019t expect to have that much speed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started struggling. I mean, we were 11th not holding anything back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Palou joked that going late in the first leg of qualifying, ironically, paid dividends.<\/p>\n

During the random qualifying draw, Palou\u2019s wife drew him 31st in the running order.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to say probably being 31st, thanks to my wife for drawing that number,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing there allowed us to work on those conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow. That was incredible. It just feels incredible. A great start to the Month of May, and I can\u2019t thank everybody at CGR enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ed Carpenter Racing\u2019s Alexander Rossi was the qualifying surprise packet.<\/p>\n

The 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner was first up in the Fast Six and set the pace with a 231.990 mph four-lap average \u2013 an effort good enough for second.<\/p>\n

Third went the way of David Malukas in his first Indianapolis 500 start for Team Penske with a 231.877 mph four-lap average.<\/p>\n

Behind Rosenqvist in fourth came AJ Foyt Racing\u2019s Santino Ferrucci (230.846 mph) and Pato O\u2019Ward (230.442 mph) for McLaren.<\/p>\n

Results: 110th Indianapolis 500 Qualifying, Fast Six<\/p>\n

Pos
\nNum
\nDriver
\nTeam
\nAverage Speed
\nLap 1
\nLap 2
\nLap 3
\nLap 4
\nTotal Time<\/p>\n

1
\n10
\nAlex Palou
\nChip Ganassi Racing
\n232.248
\n232.848
\n232.347
\n231.845
\n231.955
\n2:35.0066<\/p>\n

2
\n20
\nAlexander Rossi
\nEd Carpenter Racing
\n231.99
\n232.568
\n232.038
\n231.71
\n231.645
\n2:35.1792<\/p>\n

3
\n12
\nDavid Malukas
\nTeam Penske
\n231.877
\n231.728
\n231.937
\n231.769
\n232.073
\n2:35.2549<\/p>\n

4
\n60
\nFelix Rosenqvist
\nMeyer Shank Racing
\n231.375
\n231.765
\n231.374
\n231.219
\n231.144
\n2:35.5914<\/p>\n

5
\n14
\nSantino Ferrucci
\nAJ Foyt Racing
\n230.846
\n231.169
\n230.702
\n230.581
\n230.933
\n2:35.9482<\/p>\n

6
\n5
\nPato O\u2019Ward
\nMcLaren
\n230.442
\n230.108
\n230.561
\n230.589
\n230.509
\n2:36.2218<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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