Indianapolis, IN
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti to drive Indy 500 pace car
After leading Indiana football to a 16-0 season and national championship, Curt Cignetti will drive the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. Cignetti was announced as the pace car driver for the 110th Indy 500 on Fox during the World Baseball Classic final Tuesday.
Cignetti will lead the field of drivers in the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X to begin the race. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway gave the illustrious seat to the man who won 14 of the 17 national coach of the year awards he was eligible for in his first two seasons at Indiana.
Since Cignetti was hired ahead of the 2024 season, Indiana has gone 27-2 and made the College Football Playoff twice. This past season, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten championship since 1967 and their first national championship ever.
“Coach Cignetti will have our field in a special victory lap formation as he leads the stars of the NTT IndyCar Series to the green flag at this year’s Indy 500,” IMS and IndyCar president Doug Boles said in a news release. “His Hoosiers have been nothing short of remarkable, and their national championship run inspired our entire state. He’s the perfect choice to drive the Chevrolet pace car, and I know his introduction on race day will bring out a special roar of appreciation from our crowd.”
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Cignetti will become just the second football coach to drive the pace car, the first since Jim Harbaugh in 2013. Last year’s pace car was driven by Pro Football Hall-of-Famer and Fox analyst Michael Strahan.
Cignetti drove the Hoosiers to prominence in 2025, and he’ll now drive at the front of the pack to start “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Indy 500 pace car drivers: Indy 500 pace car drivers through the years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
All-time list of Indy 500 pace car drivers
2026: Curt Cignetti, Indiana football coach
2025: Michael Strahan: Former NFL player, television host and Fox NFL analyst
2024: Ken Griffey Jr: Baseball Hall of Famer
2023: Tyrese Halliburton: Pacers player
2022: Sarah Fisher: Former race car driver
2021: Danica Patrick: Former race car driver
2020: Mark Reuss: President of General Motors
2019: Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Former race car driver
2018: Victor Oladipo: Pacers player
2017: Jeffrey Dean Morgan: Actor
2016: Roger Penske: Racing team owner, businessman
2015: Jeff Gordon: Race car driver
2014: Dario Franchitti: Race car driver
2013: Jim Harbaugh: NFL player, NFL and college coach
2012: Guy Fieri: Celebrity chef
2011: A.J. Foyt (Mari Hulman George passenger): Former race car driver
2010: Robin Roberts: Broadcaster, morning show host
2009: Josh Duhamel: Actor
2008: Emerson Fittipaldi: Race car driver
2007: Patrick Dempsey: Actor
2006: Lance Armstrong: Former professional bicycle racer
2005: General Colin Powell: U.S. Secretary of State, chairman joint chiefs of staff
2004: Morgan Freeman: Actor
2003: Herb Fishel: General Motors’ racing executive director
2002: Jim Caviezel: Actor
2001: Elaine Irwin Mellencamp: Supermodel
2000: Anthony Edwards: Actor
1999: Jay Leno: Comedian, Tonight Show host
1998: Parnelli Jones: Former race car driver
1997: Johnny Rutherford: Race car driver
1996: Bob Lutz: Automotive executive
1995: Jim Perkins: Automotive executive
1994: Parnelli Jones: Race car driver
1993: Jim Perkins: Automotive executive
1992: Bobby Unser: Race car driver
1991: Carroll Shelby: Race car driver, designer
1990: Jim Perkins: Automotive executive
1989: Bobby Unser: Race car driver
1988: Chuck Yeager: Test pilot, Air Force general
1987: Carroll Shelby: Race car driver, designer
1986: Check Yeager: Test pilot, Air Force general
1985: James Garner: Actor
1984: John Callies: Automotive executive
1983: Duke Nalon: Race car driver
1982: Jim Rathmann: Race car driver
1981: Duke Nalon: Race car driver
1980: Johnnie Parsons: Race car driver
1979: Jackie Stewart: Race car driver
1978: Jim Rathmann: Race car driver
1977: James Garner: Actor
1976: Marty Robbins: Country music singer, NASCAR driver
1975: James Garner: Actor
1974: Jim Rathmann: Race car driver
1973: Jim Rathmann: Race car driver
1972: Jim Rathmann: Race car driver
1971: Eldon Palmer: Indianapolis-area car dealer
1970: Rodger Ward: Race car driver
1969: Jim Rathmann: Race car driver
1968: William Clay Ford Sr.: Executive chairman of Ford motors
1967: Mauri Rose: Race car driver
1966: Benson Ford: Automotive executive
1965: P.M. Buckminster: Automotive executive
1964: Benson Ford: Automotive executive
1963: Sam Hanks: Race car driver
1962: Sam Hanks: Race car driver
1961: Sam Hanks: Race car driver
1960: Sam Hanks: Race car driver
1959: Sam Hanks: Race car driver
1958: Sam Hanks: Race car driver
1957: F.C. Reith: Automotive executive
1956: L.I. Woolson: Automotive executive
1955: Thomas H. Keating: Automotive executive
1954: William C. Newburg: Automotive executive
1953: William Clay Ford Sr.: Automotive executive
1952: P.O. Peterson: Automotive executive
1951: David A. Wallace: Automotive executive
1950: Benson Ford: Automotive executive
1949: Wilbur Shaw: Race car driver, president of IMS
1948: Wilbur Shaw: Race car driver, president of IMS
1947: George W. Mason: Automotive executive
1946: Henry Ford II: Automotive executive
1941: A.B. Couture
1940: Harry Hartz
1939: Charles Chayne: Automotive executive
1938: Stuart Baits: Race car designer
1937: Ralph DePalma: Race car driver
1936: Tommy Milton: Race car driver
1935: Harry Mack: Automotive executive
1934: Willard “Big Boy” Radar: Long distance test driver
1933: Byron Foy
1932: Edsel Ford
1931: Willard “Big Boy” Radar: Long distance test driver
1930: Wade Morton: Race car driver
1929: George Hunt
1928: Joe Dawson: Race car driver
1927: Willard “Big Boy” Radar: Long distance test driver
1926: Louis Chevrolet: Race car driver, founder of Chevrolet
1925: Eddie Rickenbacker: Race car driver, owner of IMS
1924: Lew Pettijohn: Test driver
1923: Fred Duesenberg: Founder of Duesenberg
1922: Barney Oldfield: Race car driver
1921: Harry C. Stutz: Founder of Stutz
1920: Barney Oldfield: Race car driver
1919: Jess G. Vincent: Engine designer
1916: Frank E. Smith
1915: Carl Fisher: Created IMS
1914: Carl Fisher: Created IMS
1913: Carl Fisher: Created IMS
1912: Carl Fisher: Created IMS
1911: Carl Fisher: Created IMS
Getty
Alex Palou will start the 2026 Indianapolis 500 from the pole.
Alex Palou returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this May as if he never left the famed racetrack. The four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion is a force to be reckoned with once again, and he showcased his raw ability once again on Sunday.
Rain plagued Indianapolis on Saturday, postponing qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500. The series had to fit in both the main time trials and the Fast 12 on Sunday, and that was no issue for Palou, who has been fast throughout the entire month in Indianapolis.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who won the 2025 Indianapolis 500, won his second career Indianapolis 500 pole (the first was in 2023).
Palou’s No. 10 DHL Honda soared around Indianapolis with a four-lap average of 232.248 mph during the Fast 12. He will start next Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 alongside Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi and Team Penske’s David Maukas.
“You could see the celebration was really high (after winning the pole) because this morning when we woke up, we did not expect this speed,” a humble Palou said.
Alex Palou’s IndyCar Series Dominance
Since Palou joined Chip Ganassi Racing, he is the most dominant driver in America’s premier open-wheel division. He joined CGR in 2021 and besides his four championships, he’s won a series-leading 22 races in that span.
Last year, Palou won eight of 17 races on the calendar, including the 2025 Indianapolis 500. This year, the CGR driver is showing no signs of slowing down. Through six races, he has three victories and is the series points leader once again. Though Palou has showed extraordinary talent, he remains committed to the IndyCar Series and has denied rumors that he will attempt to move to Formula 1 like Colton Herta.
Palou, who is only 29 years old, has plenty of runway left in his career. A second Indianapolis 500 victory on Memorial Day Weekend could certainly catch the attention of team owners outside of IndyCar.
The 2026 Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive spectacles in the history of the historic race. The entire 33-car field was separated by just six mph during qualifying.
Among the highlights of this year’s field is the return of three Indianapolis 500 champions: Helio Castroneves, Takuma Sato and Ryan Hunter-Reay. Sato will start 13th next Sunday, with Castroneves in 15th and Hunter-Reay in 23rd.
Katherine Legge, who will be attempting The Double between the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, will start the 500 in 27th.
“Very few drivers ever get the opportunity to attempt ‘The Double,’ and I do not take that opportunity lightly,” Legge said. “This challenge is about pushing through perceived limits, betting on yourself, taking risks and trying to do something unique. I am so incredibly grateful to e.l.f. Cosmetics for believing in what this moment represents and for building a community around it.”
All three CGR cars qualified for the Fast 12, with Kyffin Simpson starting in seventh, while veteran Scott Dixon will start 11th. One of the shockers in qualifying was the lack of speed out of Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who will start in 24th in the Indianapolis 500, which will air on Fox.
Joseph Wolkin Joseph Wolkin is a motor sports expert, focusing on telling the untold stories inside of Nascar, Formula 1 and the IndyCar Series. He is currently working on a new book about team leaders turn racers into champions. Follow Joseph on X at @joewolkin. More about Joseph Wolkin
Indianapolis, IN
Who won Indianapolis 500 pole position? Qualifying, time trials schedule, format, starting grid
Indianapolis 500 qualifying is on, finally, as the entire 33-car field for the May 24 race will be determined today, May 17.
Rain washed out Saturday’s session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, postponing all the work on the 2.5-mile oval to today.
There are three rounds of time trials: 33 cars will get one attempt each, with the top 12 advancing to the second round; the 6 fastest from that round will compete for pole position.
We will have every qualifying attempt and more, so please remember to refresh.
9:45 a.m.: There aren’t many takers. The Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing teams are content to wait until qualifying to get on-track, according to the Fox Sports broadcast.
On Fast Friday, Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin (1st), David Malukas (9th) and two-time race champ Josef Newgarden (14th) fared well on no-tow laps (qualifying conditions). CGR drivers were 2nd (Alex Palou), 11th (Scott Dixon) and 23rd (Kyffin Simpson).
- 9 a.m.: Gates open
- 9:30 a.m.: Full-field practice
- 10:45 a.m.: Enlistment ceremony
- Noon: Qualifying; each driver gets one attempt with the 12 fastest advancing
- 3:15 p.m.: Monster Jam world record attempt
- 4:30 p.m.: Top 12 qualifying
- 6 p.m.: Fast 6
(Each driver will get one 4-lap attempt starting at noon ET; the session should last approximately 3 hours)
- Scott Dixon
- Christian Lundgaard
- Ryan Hunter-Reay
- Ed Carpenter
- Rinus VeeKay
- Scott McLaughlin
- Nolan Siegel
- Graham Rahal
- Josef Newgarden
- Will Power
- Felix Rosenqvist
- Santino Ferrucci
- Marcus Ericsson
- Conor Daly
- Mick Schumacher
- Romain Grosjean
- Marcus Armstrong
- Pato O’Ward
- David Malukas
- Alexander Rossi
- Dennis Hauger
- Sting Ray Robb
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Caio Collet
- Helio Castroneves
- Takuma Sato
- Christian Rasmussen
- Louis Foster
- Kyffin Simpson
- Jack Harvey
- Alex Palou
- Jacob Abel
- Katherine Legge
(All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live, IndyCar Radio, Sirius XM Channel 218 and the Fox One app)
- Sunday, May 17
- 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Indy 500 practice, FS2
- Noon: First round of qualifying, FS2
- 4 p.m.: Top 12 qualifying, Fox (session begins at 4:30 p.m.)
- 6 p.m.: Fast 6, Fox
- Sunday: Cloudy in the morning and partly cloudy skies in the afternoon with a high in the mid 80s.
Indy 500 qualifying predictions from IndyStar’s Zion Brown
- Who wins pole position, and at what 4-lap speed average? “Takuma Sato will win his first Indy 500 pole with an average speed of 233.6 mph.”
- Who is the surprise driver advancing to Top 12 qualifying? “A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet has looked faster than expected throughout practice and the open test.”
- Who will be left out of the top 12 unexpectedly? “Kyle Kirkwood. Andretti Global’s cars have been surprisingly slow this week, and Kirkwood has started on the front four rows just once.”
FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app
Watch Indy 500 action on Fubo
Indy 500 qualifying tickets start at $30
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.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Bottleworks District has announced two new additions to its growing retail and dining lineup: Amorino Gelato Al Naturale and Bobbles & Lace Indianapolis.
Amorino Gelato Al Naturale will bring an upscale Italian-style dessert experience to the district, featuring handcrafted gelato, signature flower-shaped presentations, warm desserts, and premium beverages in an elegant boutique setting.
Owner Sal Abci said Bottleworks District’s vibrant atmosphere and experience-focused visitors made it the ideal location for the brand’s Indianapolis debut.
Bobbles & Lace is a boutique that offers personalized, styling-focused fashion experiences centered on accessible luxury and community. Owner Amanda Logan-Athmer said the energy and destination appeal of Bottleworks aligned perfectly with the boutique’s vision as it enters the Indianapolis market.
Bottleworks says the new additions are set to open later in 2026.
Scott Pruden, senior vice president of leasing at Hendricks Commercial Properties and Bottleworks District, said both businesses will bring fresh concepts to the district’s evolving retail and dining scene along the historic Mass Ave corridor.
Bottleworks District, a redeveloped Coca-Cola bottling plant, has become one of the Midwest’s premier mixed-use destinations, featuring hotel accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, office space, and retail.
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