What is widely regarded as the most powerful and pressure-filled four laps in motorsports have become even more challenging and ultimately more rewarding for the driver and team that claim pole position for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
INDYCAR has announced an update to the PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying with Day One scheduled for Saturday, May 16 and Day Two Sunday, May 17. Both will set the field for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It begins with Day One of qualifying from 11 a.m.-5:50 p.m. ET, which will determine positions 16-33 for the “500.” The fastest nine cars from Day One also will be locked into the Top 12 qualifying session on Day Two earning the opportunity to advance to the Firestone Fast Six and a spot to compete for the coveted NTT P1 Award and start from pole position on Race Day.
Cars ranked 10-15 on Day One will advance to the Final 15 round on Day Two and will have the opportunity to compete for the three spots remaining to fill the Top 12 round. Starting in reverse order of qualifying speeds based on Day One (15, 14, 13, 12, 11 and 10), each of the six cars will have one attempt to post a traditional four-lap qualifying time starting at 4 p.m. The fastest three will advance to the Top 12 qualifying round.
At approximately 5 p.m., Top 12 Qualifying will begin with the three advancing cars from Final 15 – slowest to fastest – followed by the cars, from ninth to first, that advanced to the round based on speeds from Day One. Like in previous years, the fastest six will advance to the Firestone Fast Six to determine positions one through six and compete for the NTT P1 Award for pole. Those finishing seventh through 12th will fill out starting positions seven through 12 according to their time and speed.
In the Firestone Fast Six at approximately 6:35 p.m., each entrant is again given one attempt and will qualify in reverse order based on their Top 12 qualifying results. The fastest driver earns pole position and the accompanying $100,000 prize, while the remaining five drivers complete the first two rows of the starting grid.
2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship points will be awarded for those who advance to the Top 12 qualifying session. The Indy 500 pole winner will receive 12 points, the second fastest will receive 11, and points awarded will decrease by one-point increments down to the 12th fastest (one point).
PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying Schedule (All times ET, subject to change):
Saturday, May 16
8:30-9:30 a.m. Pre-Qualifying Practice:
11 a.m.-5:50 p.m. NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying (Determining positions 16-33): 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2-4 p.m. 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, May 17
1-2 p.m. Final 15 Practice (Positions 10-15 from Day One):
2-3 p.m. Top 12 Practice (Positions 1-9 from Day One):
4 p.m. Indianapolis 500 Final 15 Qualifying (Positions 13-15 determined, fastest three advance to Top 12)
5 p.m.* Top 12 Qualifying (Positions 7-12 determined, fastest six advance to Firestone Fast Six):
6:35 p.m.* Firestone Fast Six:
7 p.m.* NTT P1 Award Presentation:
A practice session for the Indianapolis 500 field is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. Monday, May 18
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