Ryan Nitzen | March 7, 2026
It’s time to go racing in Indianapolis! Round nine of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross invades Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana for another night of Triple Crown racing. Points are still tight in both classes as we gear up for tonight’s gate drop. Only the top 18 riders head straight to the main event so the pressure is on for qualifying.
Eli Tomac is fresh off his eighth win at Daytona and carrying that momentum into qualifying today. He was fastest in both sessions today as he sets the pace with a 45.435. Justin Cooper looked up to the challenge as he was a close second overall, just 0.02 seconds off Tomac. The 450SX points leader, Hunter Lawrence clocked third overall with a 45.5. Jorge Prado returns to action this weekend in fourth overall with Cooper Webb rounding out the top five. The top eight riders all ran a 45-second lap which goes to show how close the racing will be tonight.
450SX OVERALL QUALIFYING RESULTS (Top 10)
| 1. | Eli Tomac | (KTM) | 45.435 |
| 2. | Justin Cooper | (Yam) | 45.456 |
| 3. | Hunter Lawrence | (Hon) | 45.580 |
| 4. | Jorge Prado | (KTM) | 45.644 |
| 5. | Cooper Webb | (Yam) | 45.675 |
| 6. | Ken Roczen | (Suz) | 45.795 |
| 7. | Joey Savatgy | (Hon) | 45.945 |
| 8. | Justin Hill | (KTM) | 45.954 |
| 9. | Shane McElrath | (Hon) | 46.238 |
| 10. | Malcolm Stewart | (Hus) | 46.346 |
Just like the 450 class, last week’s winner is on top of the board once again. Seth Hammaker topped both sessions in the 250SX East division and leads the way before tonight’s three main events. Hammaker is actually the fastest rider in either class as his 45.1 is three-tenths better than Tomac’s time. Cole Davies grabbed second overall but was half a second off Hammaker. His whoop speed will certainly come into play as the track breaks down. Jo Shimoda jumped to third overall late in the second session and showed he can post a fast time even in the rutted conditions.
250SX OVERALL QUALIFYING RESULTS (Top 10)
| 1. | Seth Hammaker | (Kaw) | 45.148 |
| 2. | Cole Davies | (Yam) | 45.675 |
| 3. | Jo Shimoda | (Hon) | 45.741 |
| 4. | Daxton Bennick | (Hus) | 46.203 |
| 5. | Coty Schock | (Yam) | 46.332 |
| 6. | Caden Dudney | (Yam) | 46.355 |
| 7. | Cullin Park | (Hon) | 46.555 |
| 8. | Luke Clout | (Kaw) | 46.615 |
| 9. | Pierce Brown | (Yam) | 46.634 |
| 10. | Gavin Towers | (Hon) | 46.700 |
It’s time to qualify for the 110th Indianapolis 500 (weather permitting). Time trials are scheduled today, May 16, and Sunday, 17, on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
Thunderstorms are forecast for today, and if qualifying is washed out, Sunday’s sessions will be long and even more tense.
With 33 entrants guaranteeing a spot for everyone in the May 24 race, there is no bumping this year, and race officials have made changes reflecting that.
We will have weather and qualifying updates all day, so remember to refresh.
8:30 a.m.: Showers are falling at IMS, washing out the 1-hour full-field practice session.
(All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live, IndyCar Radio, Sirius XM Channel 218 and the Fox One app)
FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app
Watch Indy 500 action on Fubo
Indy 500 qualifying tickets start at $30
Rookie Robert Shwartzman of Prema Racing stunned the field by winning the Fast Six. He lost his brakes entering his pit stall during the race, running into some crew members (none was seriously hurt) and finishing 26th. Shwartzman is not entered this year.
Rick Mears won six (1979, ’82, ’86, ’88, ’89, ’91). Scott Dixon (2008, ’15, ’17, ’21, ’22) will try to match Mears.
Arie Luyendyk had a 4-lap run of 236.986 mph, with his best lap at 237.498, in 1996. However, because of the rules at the time, his blistering second-day (of four) run did not earn him the pole position.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
Tonight, on Beyond the Bricks with Jake Query and Mike Thomsen, they look back at the 1972 Indy 500, featuring record speeds and Jim Malloy.
In the second segment, they continue to look back at the 1972 Indy 500 with the Mystery Eagle and the misfortunes of Wally Dallenbach.
Then to wrap up another edition of the show, they continue to look back at the 1972 Indy 500 with Mark Donohue taking the win.
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All eyes will be on Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend for two days of qualifying that will determine the pole winner and set the full lineup for the 110th running of the Indy 500.
This year provides even more intrigue with changes to the qualifying format and because multiple drivers will take the first step toward potential history-making endeavors.
The events begin May 15 with Fast Friday practice sessions as drivers will run full speeds at the Brickyard to gear up for qualifying sessions the next two days. Then the pressure really kicks in Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 as drivers lock in their spots on the starting grid for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 24.
Among the drivers who will be behind the wheels of Indy cars this weekend are two who are seeking to make history.
Four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves is back, trying to become the first driver to win the iconic race five times. The Brazilian driver, who celebrated his 51st birthday on May 10, won the Indy 500 back-to-back in 2001 and 2002, again in 2009 and then in 2021 to tie A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears for most wins all time.
Meanwhile, Katherine Legge has a different, but equally epic, historic opportunity. The 45-year-old British driver announced earlier this week that she will attempt “The Double” this year: racing in the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Only five drivers have ever attempted “The Double” – John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson – and Legge would be the first woman.
Here is everything you need to know about qualifying for the 2026 Indianapolis 500, the weekend schedule and the full entry list:
Practice, qualifying and the 2026 Indianapolis 500 can be streamed on the Fox Sports website (by signing in with your TV or satellite provider), Fox One (free seven day trial) and the Fox Sports app. Viewers can also stream events on Fubo.
All times Eastern
Friday, May 15
Saturday, May 16
Determines starting positions 16-33
Sunday, May 17
Determines starting positions 1-15
Monday, May 18
Friday, May 22
Sunday, May 24
Stream Indy 500 race, qualifying and practice on Fubo
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