The “Month of May” is here and with it comes the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (12:30 p.m. ET, Fox). On-track activity begins on Tuesday with the first official practice sessions, with qualifying set for this weekend.
Here’s what to know about 2026 Indianapolis 500:
2025 Indy 500 details
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5-mile low-banked squared oval) in Speedway, Indiana
Banking: Turns – 9.2 degrees | Straights – flat
Race length: 200 laps for 500 miles
Fuel window: 30-35 green flag laps
2026 Indy 500 on-track schedule
(All times Eastern)
Tuesday, May 12
12 – 4 p.m.: Practice (FS2)
4 – 6 p.m.: Practice (FS1)
Wednesday, May 13
12 – 4 p.m.: Practice (FS2)
4 – 6 p.m.: Practice (FS1)
Thursday, May 14
12 – 4 p.m.: Practice (FS2)
4 – 6 p.m.: Practice (FS1)
Friday, May 15 – Fast Friday
Boost levels raised ahead of qualifying, sending cars above 240 mph
12 – 3 p.m.: Practice (FS2)
3 – 5 p.m.: Practice (FS1)
5 – 6 p.m.: Practice (FS2)
Saturday, May 16 – Qualifying Day 1
Grid positions 16 – 33 set, will not re-qualify Sunday
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.: Practice (FS2)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Qualifying (FS2)
2 – 4 p.m.: Qualifying (FS1)
4 – 6 p.m.: Qualifying (Fox)
Sunday, May 17 – Qualifying Day 2
Grid positions 1 – 15 set
1 – 3 p.m.: Practice (FS2)
4 – 7 p.m.: Qualifying (Fox)
Monday, May 18
1 – 3 p.m.: Practice (FS1)
Friday, May 22 – Carb Day
Last day of practice, plus Oscar Mayer “wienie mobile” race and pit stop competition
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Final practice (FS1)
2 – 2:30 p.m.: Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 (Fox)
2:30 – 4 p.m.: Pit stop contest (Fox)
Sunday, May 24 – Race Day
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Pre-race Show (Fox)
12:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Indianapolis 500 broadcast (Fox)
3:30 – 4 p.m.: Post-race Show (Fox)
2026 Indy 500 entries
Team Penske (Chevrolet): Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas.
Arrow McLaren (Chevrolet): Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, Christian Lundgaard, Ryan Hunter-Reay (with Legacy Motor Club).
Chip Ganassi Racing (Honda): Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyffin Simpson.
Andretti Global (Honda): Marcus Ericsson, Kyle Kirkwood, Will Power.
Meyer Shank Racing (Honda): Helio Castroneves, Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Honda): Graham Rahal, Takuma Sato, Mick Schumacher, Louis Foster.
Ed Carpenter Racing: Ed Carpenter, Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen.
HMD Motorsports: Katherine Legge.
A.J. Foyt Enterprises (Chevrolet): Santino Ferrucci, Caio Collet.
Juncos Hollinger Racing (Chevrolet): Rinus Veekay, Sting Ray Robb.
Dale Coyne Racing (Honda): Romain Grosjean, Dennis Hauger.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (Chevrolet): Conor Daly, Jack Harvey.
Abel Motorsports: Jacob Abel.
Indy 500 qualifying format
Qualifying is split into two days, with the bulk of the field set during Saturday’s marathon seven-hour session. Sunday will feature a session to re-classify spots 10-15 in order to give another chance to move into the top 12 followed by the top 12 round and a top six shootout for pole. The drivers’ average speed over a four-lap run determines their standing.
Qualifying Day 1 – Saturday, May 16
Grid spots 16-33 set
After each car has one opportunity at a four-lap run, they may choose one of two lanes for subsequent attempts at improving their standing before time expires on the session. Lane 1 has priority to track access, but to enter it, the team must forfeit their prior qualifying speed to enter it.
Qualifying Day 2 – Sunday, May 17
Grid spots 1-15 set
The first hour features the 10th through 15th cars making runs with spots in the top 12 on the line. After 13th through 15th is determined, the remaining 12 cars will make runs to determine spots sixth through 12. Finally, the top six cars will have one run each to establish the starting order for the first two rows.