Big changes are coming to the Indianapolis 500 in 2026, and they're going to make qualifying weekend even more thrilling for fans—and a whole lot more intense for drivers.
IndyCar has revamped the qualifying format for the 110th running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," introducing a multi-round battle that will test nerves, speed, and consistency like never before. For the first time in four years, the field will feature 33 cars with no bumping, but that doesn't mean the road to the pole is any easier.
Here's how it breaks down:
Saturday, May 16 – Day 1: Setting the Stage
Qualifying kicks off at 11:00 a.m. EST and runs until 5:50 p.m. EST. This open session determines positions 16 through 33, locking in the back half of the field. But the real drama? The fastest nine cars secure a spot in the Top 12 for Sunday, while drivers finishing 10th through 15th get a second chance in the Final 15 round.
Sunday – Day 2: The Fight for the Front
The action heats up in the afternoon. At 4:00 p.m. EST, the Final 15 round begins, featuring the drivers who placed 10th through 15th on Saturday. Each gets one shot at a four-lap average, and the three fastest advance into the Top 12—meaning no one is safe until the last lap is run.
Then, at 5:00 p.m. EST, the Top 12 round decides positions 7 through 12, with the fastest six moving on to the ultimate showdown: the Firestone Fast Six.
The Grand Finale: Firestone Fast Six
Scheduled for around 6:35 p.m. EST, the Fast Six is where legends are made. The six remaining drivers each get one four-lap attempt, going out in order from slowest to fastest. The winner takes home the pole position, a front-row starting spot for race day, and a $100,000 prize—not to mention bragging rights for life.
Full Sunday Schedule (all times EST):
- 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Pre-qualifying practice (FS2) – All 33 entries
- 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Final 15 Practice (FS2) – Positions 10-15 from Day 1
- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Top 12 Practice (FS2) – Positions 1-9 from Day 1
- 4:00 p.m.: Final 15 Qualifying (FOX) – Positions 13-15 set; top 3 advance to Top 12
- 5:00 p.m.: Top 12 Qualifying (FOX) – Positions 7-12 set; top 6 advance to Fast Six
- 6:35 p.m.: Firestone Fast Six (FOX) – Positions 1-6 decided; pole awarded
This new format means every single lap counts, and the pressure only builds as the day goes on. For fans, it's a can't-miss weekend of high-speed drama. For drivers, it's the ultimate test of skill and nerve—and a reminder that at Indy, nothing comes easy.