INDIANAPOLIS — The path to the starting grid for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is getting a high-stakes makeover. IndyCar announced Monday that the qualifying format for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 will feature a new Sunday session dubbed the “Final 15,” designed to inject more drama into the weekend even without a “bumping” battle.
With only 33 entries confirmed for this year’s race, the traditional Last Chance Qualifying—which typically sends the slowest cars home—has been sidelined. In its place, the Final 15 will serve as a pressure-cooker bridge to the Top 12, ensuring every position on the grid is fought for with intensity.
The New Sunday Gauntlet
The weekend will begin with all 33 cars making qualifying runs on Saturday, May 16. While positions 16-33 will be locked in that afternoon, the drama carries over to Sunday for the front half of the field:
- Final 15 (4 p.m. Sunday): Drivers who ranked 10th through 15th on Saturday will have one four-lap attempt to secure a spot in the next round. Only the three fastest drivers from this group will advance, while the others will be locked into positions 13-15.
- Top 12 Qualifying (5 p.m. Sunday): The three survivors from the Final 15 will join Saturday’s top nine qualifiers. They will battle for a spot in the Fast Six, with positions 7-12 being determined by their speeds in this round.
- Firestone Fast Six (6:35 p.m. Sunday): The six fastest cars from the Top 12 will make one final run for the $100,000 NTT P1 Award and the coveted pole position.
Championship Stakes and Momentum
Adding to the gravity of the weekend, championship points will be awarded to all drivers who reach the Top 12. The pole winner will earn 12 points, with the scale decreasing by one point per position down to 12th place.
Defending Indy 500 champion Alex Palou enters the month looking to maintain his historic form, while Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard carries significant momentum into practice following his victory at last Saturday’s Sonsio Grand Prix on the IMS road course.
Full Qualifying Weekend Schedule (All Times ET)
Saturday, May 16
- 8:30–9:30 a.m.: Pre-Qualifying Practice
- 11 a.m.–5:50 p.m.: Full Field Qualifying (Positions 16-33 determined)
Sunday, May 17
- 1–2 p.m.: Final 15 Practice (Positions 10-15 from Saturday)
- 2–3 p.m.: Top 12 Practice (Positions 1-9 from Saturday)
- 3:15–3:45 p.m.: Monster Jam/Monster Truck World Record Attempt
- 4 p.m.: Final 15 Qualifying (Top 3 advance to Top 12)
- 5 p.m.: Top 12 Qualifying (Top 6 advance to Fast Six)
- 6:35 p.m.: Firestone Fast Six (Determines the Pole Position)
Fans attending on Sunday will also witness a unique “salute” to advancing teams. During cool-down periods between rounds, advancing cars will complete laps behind the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Pace Car at 100 mph. These laps serve a dual purpose: allowing fans to cheer for the contenders while providing vital airflow to cool engines before the next high-speed run.
The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24. Practice sessions begin Tuesday and run daily from noon to 6 p.m., leading up to the qualifying weekend.
