Shwartzman Shocks the Field with Indy 500 Pole Position
In a stunning turn of events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, PREMA Racing’s rookie driver Robert Shwartzman secured pole position for the 109th Indianapolis 500, marking the first pole for a rookie since 1983. Shwartzman, a 25-year-old Israeli driver with minimal oval experience, posted an impressive four-lap average of 232.790 mph with his No. 83 Chevrolet, outpacing veteran Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, who clinched second with 232.478 mph.
“This is unbelievable,” Shwartzman said post-qualifying. “I want to thank PREMA and Chevy for their support. I still can’t believe it—I’m mentally exhausted but thrilled to start on pole for the Indy 500.”
Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward secured third with an average of 232.098 mph, while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon rounded out the top four, clocking in at 232.054 mph. Notably, Dixon’s team displayed a drop in performance compared to earlier sessions, impacting their qualifying results.
Felix Rosenqvist, representing Meyer Shank Racing and closely aligned with Ganassi, placed fifth at 231.987 mph. Championship leader Alex Palou, despite being fastest in previous days, ended up sixth with an average of 231.378 mph.
The outcome has led to scrutiny of established teams, as PREMA, in its Indy 500 debut, defied expectations. The performance underscores the unpredictable nature of motorsport and sets the stage for an exhilarating race week.
Qualifying Results:
- Robert Shwartzman (PREMA Racing) – 232.790 mph
- Takuma Sato (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) – 232.478 mph
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) – 232.098 mph
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 232.054 mph
- Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) – 231.987 mph
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 231.378 mph
As anticipation builds for the race, the challenge lies ahead for competitors to match or exceed Shwartzman’s remarkable pace.
