(Photo by Matt Fraver/Penske Entertainment)
Scott Dixon further cemented his legend as one of the greatest-ever INDYCAR SERIES drivers, earning his fifth career Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge pole Sunday with the fastest four-lap average speed for a pole sitter in the century-plus history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” As the last driver on track in the Firestone Fast Six, six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Dixon delivered the drama with a four-lap average speed of 234.046 mph in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda. Dixon, from Auckland, New Zealand, earned a $100,000 for the NTT P1 Award and is just one shy of four-time Indy winner Rick Mears for the most poles in “500” history. “That’s what this place is about; it’s so amazing,” Dixon said. “It’s crazy. This PNC Bank No. 9 crew and Honda, they brought it today. Just so happy for everybody.” Dixon’s run broke the all-time pole record speed of 233.718 set in 1996 by Scott Brayton. Arie Luyendyk set the all-time four-lap qualifying average speed record of 236.986 in 1996, but his run came on the second day of qualifications and wasn’t eligible for the pole. Chip Ganassi Racing earned its first 1-2 start at Indianapolis since 2008 – when Dixon earned his sole victory in the race from pole and Dan Wheldon started second – as reigning series champion Alex Palou qualified second at 233.499 in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing NTT DATA Honda. Dixon and Palou led four Ganassi drivers in the Firestone Fast Six final qualifying session. “To get five of our cars into the fast 12 and four into the (Firestone Fast) Six, I hope Chip has a smile on his face," Dixon said. "That definitely deserves a smile.” Rinus VeeKay took the last spot in the front row for the second consecutive year, qualifying third at 233.385 in the No. 21 Bitcoin Racing Team with BitNile Chevrolet fielded by Ed Carpenter Racing. This is the fastest front row in Indy 500 history, with an average speed of 233.643, breaking the record of 233.233 set in 1996. Up next is a two-hour practice session for all 33 starters from 1-3 p.m. (ET) Monday, with live coverage on Peacock Premium and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Then it’s on to the final practice before the race, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, May 27 on Miller Lite Carb Day. The 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, with live coverage starting at 11 a.m. on NBC, Telemundo Deportes on Universo and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Watch the video highlights here. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)
(Photo by Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment)
Scott Dixon earned his fifth career pole for the Indianapolis 500, one short of Speedway legend Rick Mears for the most poles in "500" history.
(Photo by Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment)
Scott and Emma Dixon celebrate his "500" pole run.
(Photo by Karl Zemlin/Penske Entertainment)
Reigning INDYCAR series champion Alex Palou qualified second at 233.499 mph in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing NTT DATA Honda.
(Photo by Chris Jones/Penske Entertainment)
Rinus VeeKay took the last spot in the front row for the second consecutive year, qualifying third at 233.385 mph in the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Bitcoin Racing Team with BitNile Chevrolet. This is the fastest front row in Indy 500 history, with an average speed of 233.643, breaking the record of 233.233 set in 1996.
(Photo by Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment)
ECR owner-driver Ed Carpenter will start fourth in the No. 33 Alzamend Neuro Chevrolet after his run of 233.080 mph. Chip Ganassi Racing put four of its five drivers in the first two rows. Marcus Ericsson will start fifth after a run of 232.764 in the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Huski Chocolate Honda, with 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan qualifying sixth at 232.372 in the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing The American Legion Honda. The third and fourth rows were set during Top 12 qualifying, the first time-trial session of the afternoon. Row three will consist of Pato O’Ward (seventh) in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, Felix Rosenqvist (eighth) in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Vuse Chevrolet and Romain Grosjean (ninth) in the No. 28 Andretti Autosport DHL Honda. Formula One veteran Grosjean will be the highest-starting and fastest “500” rookie in the field. The fourth row features two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato (10th) in the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing Nurtec ODT Honda, 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power (11th) in the No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and “500” rookie Jimmie Johnson (12th) in the No. 48 Chip Ganassi Racing Carvana Honda. Johnson produced the biggest show for the fans – and elicited the most gasps from pit lane – during Lap 1 of his four-lap run. His car veered toward the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2, and he narrowly avoided contact with a major power slide at 230 mph, keeping control of his machine and finishing his run. “Just trying to find that right balance in the race car,” Johnson said. “These guys are so good at what they do. In these trickier conditions, I just need more experience.” (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)
The Starting Grid for the 2022 Indianapolis 500 in detail.
(Formula1.com)
Max Verstappen (No. 1 Oracle Red Bull Racing) won an action-packed 2022 Spanish Grand Prix after pole-sitter Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Scuderia Ferrari) retired from a comfortable lead with a blown engine. Sergio Perez (No. 11 Oracle Red Bull Racing) took second place to secure Red Bull’s second 1-2 of the season, as George Russell (No. 63 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team) finished third, having been involved in an epic bout with eventual winner Verstappen. Watch the highlights here.