Palou claims pole as Chevrolet dominates Indy 500 grid ahead of Sunday race
Alex Palou takes the pole position for the 2026 Indianapolis 500, while Chevrolet drivers secure six of the top nine qualifying spots, setting the stage for a strategic battle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Alex Palou has secured the pole position for the 2026 Indianapolis 500, posting an average speed of 232.248 mph during qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The defending champion, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, starts the race scheduled for Sunday, 24 May, from the front of the grid. Palou is currently listed as the +250 favourite for the event, which sees the green flag drop at 12:45 p.m. ET.
While Palou claimed the top spot, Chevrolet drivers demonstrated significant strength during the qualifying session, occupying six of the top nine positions. This performance contrasts with Honda’s recent historical dominance, which has seen the manufacturer win four of the last six editions of the race. Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammates, Kyffin Simpson and Scott Dixon, qualified behind him on the inside rows, with Simpson at +5000 and Dixon at +2200 in the betting markets.
Pato O’Ward qualified sixth for Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and stands as the second favourite at +650. In contrast, two-time winner Josef Newgarden qualified 23rd for Team Penske Chevrolet but remains a contender at +1000 odds. Newgarden, who won the race in 2023 and 2024, faces a challenging starting position despite his history at the venue.
Alexander Rossi, an eight-time IndyCar winner, suffered a minor finger and ankle injury in a three-car crash during Monday’s practice session. Medical assessments indicate he is expected to race in the 2026 Indy 500. Rossi has recorded six top-five finishes in ten career Indy 500 starts, though his streak of three consecutive top-five results was broken last year due to mechanical issues.
Major sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Caesars, BetMGM, and Fanatics Sportsbook, have released promotional offers and betting guides ahead of the race. These platforms are highlighting sign-up bonuses and wagering options for the 110th running of the event, which features 33 drivers competing over 200 laps on the 2.5-mile rectangular oval.
