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PPG Announces Exciting Armed Forces Qualifying at Indy Today
Highlights
- 110th Indianapolis 500 qualifying began with a revised format today.
- Each driver had one four-lap run to set starting positions.
- Top 12 moved to second round; fastest six entered Fast Six.
- Pole winner earned NTT P1 Award plus a $100,000 bonus.
- TV coverage aired on FS2, FOX, FOX One, and INDYCAR Radio.
- Rain cancellation caused schedule changes, increasing qualifying pressure.
PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 is underway this afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, compressing the fight for grid places after rain erased Saturday running.
A revised format gives each of the 33 drivers a single four-lap run in round one, starting at noon Eastern, to set positions 13 through 33.
One-shot four-lap runs set positions 13–33, eliminating retry strategies.
The fastest 12 progress to the Top 12 session around 4 p.m., with the best six reaching the Firestone Fast Six at 6 p.m. on the 2.5-mile oval.
That final shootout sets the front two rows and awards the NTT P1 Award for pole, plus a $100,000 bonus that sharpens risk-reward calculations.
With only one attempt permitted, execution margins shrink. Trim levels, tire conditioning, and out-lap discipline become decisive, replacing the usual safety net of cooldowns and secondary runs.
Top 12 fought for Fast Six places, with the pole worth $100,000 and NTT P1 Award.
The rain-enforced schedule also alters pitlane dynamics. Fewer runs reduce traffic manipulation, so queue position and thermal preparation must align precisely with anticipated track evolution.
Wind across the backstretch threatens aggressively trimmed cars, while late-afternoon temperature shifts could swing balance. Teams hedge with conservative gears, yet pole contenders often chase maximum straight-line speed.
Coverage opens on FS2 for round one, then moves to FOX for the Top 12 and the Firestone Fast Six later in the afternoon.
Fans also receive live commentary on FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls, maintaining session updates as speeds escalate.
Rain compressed the timetable, heightening setup risk and amplifying track-condition swings.
Starting position at Indy remains a strategic pillar. Clean air aids tire life and fuel targets, while turbulent wake can trap midfield runners into conservative stints.
As the chart settles, attention turns to who converts preparation into raw speed and locks down the 2026 pole, shaping race-day options from the opening stint.
Visual Summary
33
12
6
🏁
$
POLE
ONE SHOT ONLY
No retries.
Every lap matters.
No retries.
Every lap matters.
Pressure laps decide everything
☔
💧
Rain shakes up the grid: Only one shot allowed, no second chances.
💧
Rain shakes up the grid: Only one shot allowed, no second chances.
33
Drivers
12
Top Advance
6
Shoot for Pole
$100k
Pole Award
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
