After a weekend of making a history of qualifying with super-fast speeds, unfavorable weather conditions and some incredible savings, the field is set at 33 for the 106th race of the Indianapolis 500 (Monday morning, AEST).
Before focusing on who can win the race, here are some of the things that emerged from the Speed Trial weekend that anyone who has seen will soon forget:
Scott Dixon
What more can be said about New Zealand born in Brisbane? His fifth Indianapolis 500 pole – the second-highest, all-time – four-lap average came in at 234.046mph (376.661km), the fastest pole qualifying race ever (Ari Luandik’s race in 1996, the fastest ever, qualifying time set), Great Scott Breton’s record best since late 1996.
It’s still hard to understand that with his success in pole qualifying at Indianapolis and his overall success in the Indica series, Dixon has only one win in the most prestigious race in the sport. Add to that the fact that he’s been at his rate for the longest time since 2005!
The way things went for Iceman on Monday, we probably won’t discuss these two inconsistencies for long, following what was a wonderful moment in the historical significance of Sunday.
Scott McLaughlin
From one Kiwi to another Kiwi, and from one end of the Indianapolis 500 Experience Scale to the other end, Tim decides to reverse the pace of McLaughlin’s initial qualification at Pancakes which was the 15th fastest for him to try for the twelfth time. A weak four-lap effort for the second time saw Kiwi line up 26th, 11 places behind where he would start after his first qualifying run.
In a row with rising American star Colton Harta (winner of the road course race at IMS in early May) and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castronovs, McLaughlin is at least in very good company. It should be very entertaining to see her try to get ahead in the early lap.
Team Penske
Roger Pensk’s team has won the Indianapolis 500 18 times and is a perennial competitor, it was strange to see Australian Will Power the fastest of the three cars at the stadium and the only one to qualify for the Fast Twelve on Sunday afternoon.
Joseph Newgarden started three positions behind Power, and Nashville native McLaughlin 12 behind. That said, it would be foolish to count Pensk’s cars on race day. A lot can happen on 200 laps that make up a 500-mile race distance – and almost certainly will.
(Christopher Jimnovis / Wikimedia Commons)
Dale Coin Racing
Despite losing key driving and engineering talents over the past few seasons, and the fact that this Chicago-based team does not have the same budget as Pensk and Andretti, Dale Coin Racing continues to hold their last. David vs. Goliath of Indicar.
Rookie David Malukas ’combination with two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato was strong and consistent as they unloaded for the first practice session of the month. Malukas would start on the 13th, the third-best Rocky to qualify (behind the super-proven Jimmy Johnson and Romain Groszin) and Sato was – entertainingly, it must be said – all the qualifying rags to riches, and starting from the tenth.
If you’re looking for a completely dark horse, if not, a dark-ish, it’s hard to see past Sunday Sato.
Indianapolis 500-worthy success for drivers only
Santino Ferrucci at 15, JR Hildebrand at 17 – both ahead of established drivers like Alexander Rossi, Graham Rahel and Connor Daly. More impressive than those who are not in these cars week in and week out
Chip Gansi Racing
In addition to Scott Dixon’s history-making race, the Guinness Squad is second (defending Indica series champion Alex Palo), fifth (Marcus Erickson), sixth (2013 Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Canan), ninth (Oval Rukin 2) (seven-time NASCAR Cup series champion) On the grid.
This is one of the best-of-all-team qualifying efforts I’ve ever had in Indianapolis and, with all things being equal, it’s hard to see past one of Chip’s quick fivesomes in Victory Alley next week.
Ed Carpenter Racing
Although not as cheerful as the Ganasi squad, the only owner-driver-owned team in the series had a great Sunday. It is a well-established fact that ECR is good for qualifying in Indianapolis, and 2022 was no exception to that rule.
Flying Dutchman Rinas VK will start from the outside of the front row, and the hometown hero, Ed Carpenter, is in fourth place. Carpenter’s problem as a driver and team owner is transforming the pace of qualification into race speed. Again, he is in a striking position.
Indianapolis 500 coverage in Australia
Driver analysts James Hinchcliff and Townsend Bell will stream Stan Sport qualifying and race coverage with an NBC feed featuring Australia’s own Lay Diffie Calling play-by-play.
Through the IndyCar app and IndyCar.com, Mark Jens anchor all practice, qualification and race action legend IMS radio network coverage. Driver analysts Davy Hamilton, Nick Yoman, Michael Young, Jack Query and Chris Denary are calling for action from the turn.
Green Flag at the 106th Indianapolis 500 Monday 30 May at 2:45 a.m. AEST.