The Ultimate Starting Grid for the 109th Indianapolis 500

The complete starting grid for the 109th running of the Indy 500 features a surprising rookie on pole for one of racing’s biggest events. Robert Shwartzman, age 25, put his No. 83 Prema Racing Chevrolet at the front of the field with a four-lap average of 232.790 mph during qualifying.

It marks his first ever oval race, and Prema Racing’s debut in IndyCar, making their achievement stand out to teams and fans alike. With Shwartzman on pole, he also becomes the first Israeli-born driver in the Indianapolis 500 and the first rookie to start from pole in Indy since Teo Fabi did it back in 1983.

Sharing the front row, Takuma Sato of RLL Racing claimed second and Pato O’Ward from Arrow McLaren rounded out third. The rest of the starting grid reflects the mix of top teams and eager contenders.

Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist start from fourth and fifth, with Alex Palou also securing a strong sixth-place grid spot. The top ten also include David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard, Marcus Ericsson, and Scott McLaughlin.

In total, 33 drivers are set to take the green flag, with multiple previous winners and new faces hoping for success. Jacob Abel, another rookie, faced a tough outcome in qualifying.

He was the only driver who did not make the field, missing out after losing a close last-chance showdown with teammate Rinus VeeKay. That left a full field, with each row containing three cars as tradition demands.

For fans watching NASCAR ace Kyle Larson’s attempt at the special Indy 500/Coke 600 ‘Double’, Larson starts from 21st, hoping to follow in the tracks of the legendary drivers who have competed in both major races on the same day. For more on the history of the ‘Double’, check out this detailed overview from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Looking further down the lineup, Josef Newgarden and Will Power from Team Penske both secured solid midfield spots, starting 11th and 12th. Other notable veterans in the field include Helio Castroneves and Alexander Rossi.

Ed Carpenter and Santino Ferrucci bring their usual speed to the middle rows. Two drivers from the Juncos Hollinger Racing team, Conor Daly and Sting Ray Robb, line up 13th and 19th.

The field also sees young drivers like Kyffin Simpson and Christian Rasmussen making up rows with more established names. Past results show that starting up front can matter, though it’s not a guarantee.

Only one pole-sitter has won the Indy 500 in the last ten years, but historically, 21 race winners have begun on pole since the race first ran. Drivers starting from third, fourth, and even deeper in the field sometimes find their way to victory.

However, nobody has ever won from spots 29 through 33, making a tough challenge for those at the back like Marco Andretti, Marcus Armstrong, and Rinus VeeKay. For deeper insights into Indy 500 statistics, the Motorsport Stats database offers comprehensive historical data.

Excitement is building for race day as each team makes final preparations. The green flag drops Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Whether it’s another experienced champion or a breakout story from a rookie like Shwartzman, this year’s Indy 500 will add new names and numbers to the record books.

The full list of drivers, their teams, and starting spots sets the stage for 500 miles of close racing, strategy, and drama at the Brickyard. For those interested in the technical aspects of IndyCar racing, the SAE International provides valuable engineering resources.

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.