Rookie Robert Shwartzman Stuns with Indy 500 Pole

Rookie Robert Shwartzman made headlines with a surprise pole position for the 109th Indianapolis 500, putting Prema Racing on top in their first ever IndyCar oval race. Shwartzman, 25, managed this feat after the team struggled at the beginning of the week, ranking at the bottom during early practice sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This performance marks the first time in 42 years that a rookie has captured pole for the world-famous Indy 500.

The front row for the 2025 race will feature Shwartzman alongside two-time winner Takuma Sato and Pato O’Ward. Sato secured a provisional pole in the Fast 6 session with a four-lap average of 232.478 mph, but Shwartzman exceeded that with a 232.790 mph effort.

O’Ward slotted in third, just ahead of Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alex Palou. Dixon, a veteran and former winner, managed a best lap of 232.052 mph, while Palou rounded out row two as the 2023 series champion.

After stepping out of his No. 7 Prema Chevrolet, Shwartzman said, “No, honestly I can’t believe it. I was closing my eyes like this is a dream, it can’t be true.”

“The car felt amazing, like honestly, I can’t thank Prema and Chevy enough. They did such a good job. Coming here for my first oval race, I would never expect myself to be in this position.” This achievement is even more remarkable considering the team’s difficult start and the learning curve for both driver and crew on oval circuits.

Qualifying was dramatic, with Team Penske—the most successful IndyCar team in history—unable to contend for pole after technical issues forced Josef Newgarden and Will Power’s cars out of the Fast 12. Their teammate Scott McLaughlin suffered a heavy crash earlier in practice that destroyed his Chevrolet. The incident followed a series of notable crashes this week, including the dramatic Herta Indy 500 crash.

As a result, only nine drivers competed in the Fast 12 qualifying run, leading to a reshuffled grid behind the leaders. David Malukas earned seventh, followed by Christian Lundgaard and 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson in eighth and ninth. McLaughlin starts 10th, Power 11th, and Newgarden 12th, creating an all-Penske fourth row.

The energy in the pits after Shwartzman’s run highlighted how unexpected this result was. Prema Racing, new to the series, has shown a rapid rise and adaptation in what is often labeled the most challenging event in IndyCar.

Shwartzman’s teammate, Callum Ilott, will take the green flag from the 23rd position after a quieter qualifying run.

The field is now set for the iconic 500-mile race, with fans and teams eagerly anticipating what Shwartzman and Prema can do from pole on race day. The upset has already set a historic tone for this running of the Indianapolis 500, and all eyes will be on the rookie as he leads the 33-car pack when the green flag waves.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.