INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts like what they have already in the building.
That’s evident given that General Manager Chris Ballard and crew secured six longtime Colts — five of whom were free agents — for even-longer tenures in Indianapolis.
From receiver Michael Pittman Jr. getting $70 million to stay him in Indy for the next three years, to extending linebacker Zaire Franklin’s contract a year early, Ballard was clearly confident in the pieces he already has in his stable.
Those pieces were equally excited to stay with a team they’ve given so many years to already.
“I think that every player’s dream is to stay with the same team their whole time playing,” Pittman said Wednesday. “When I think back, all of my greatest moments have been here. I got married here. I had both of my kids here. I bought my first house here. I just have a lot of major life moments just tied here, and I’m just so grateful that I can call this place home.”
Pittman knew from the beginning that the Colts would use the franchise tag on him this offseason. He also knew that it was just a part of the process. Ultimately, Ballard and the Colts didn’t even give him a chance to test the free agency waters outside of Indy. The $70 million contract (with $46 million guaranteed) keeps Pittman with quarterback Anthony Richardson for the next three years, with the hopes of building something special.
“I think we’ve got everything we need,” Pittman said. “With Richardson coming back, we get a guy for two years straight, and we’re really going to see what he can do and all of his talent. I’m just looking forward to accenting him, making him the best player he can be and him making me the best player I can be.”
Franklin’s contact extension wasn’t a surprise either. A new deal had been in conversation since November, according to Franklin. After breaking the franchise single-season tackle record two years in a row, Franklin thought this extension was a long time coming.
“Now I just feel like I’m getting paid for the job I’ve already been doing,” Franklin said. “I’ve truly loved my time here in Indy. It’s been home for me. Being a Colt is something I take with pride, and I’m glad to wear it on my sleeve. … Now we just got to continue to raise that level, continue to push forward.”
Ballard might be handing out bags of cash to his most trusted vets in the locker room, but now it’s time to turn that into championships.
“At this point now, accolades aside, money aside, it’s time for us to put some banner up,” Franklin said. “It’s time for us to accomplish something. We’ve got to leave here with something other than good memories.”
Cornerback Kenny Moore II echoed that sentiment. Moore just signed another three-year contract with the team that he’s played his entire career with. The deal made him, once again, the highest-paid nickelback in the league. That sets him up to be in Indy for a full 10 years in the NFL.
“To play 10 years in the league is amazing and to do 10 years with one team will just be another stripe on the jacket. We’re not there yet,” Moore said. “I’m going on Year 8, so we want to make Year 8 the best year yet.”
The Colts also re-signed defensive end Tyquan Lewis, defensive tackle Grover Stewart and punter Rigoberto Sanchez, keeping a core group of players for the next few years.
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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