Indy 500 Qualifying Set for May 17-18 with High Stakes and Strategy

CONCORD, N.C. — The 2025 Indy 500 qualifying weekend is scheduled for May 17-18 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unlike standard motorsport qualifying, this process lasts over two days and uses average speeds from multiple laps to establish the starting grid for the iconic race.

Starting at 11 a.m. on May 17, drivers will complete four-lap sets, with their average speed determining their initial position. Drivers in the first qualifying lane give up their average speed from the initial run to attempt to improve their position, while those in the second lane retain their spots despite waiting for lane one to finish.

During last year’s qualifying, drivers reached impressive speeds, including an average of 232.563 mph for a fifth-place finish in the Fast Twelve round. Positions 13-30 are already locked in, as the top 12 will vie for to earn a place in the Firestone Fast Six, which will determine the front row drivers.

The high-stakes atmosphere intensifies on May 18 at 4:05 p.m., when the leading twelve drivers will run another set of four laps. The top six fastest from this round will advance for a final session that determines the pole position, where drivers aim for the ultimate goal of starting in front at the Indy 500.

This setup creates a unique tension, as the slowest driver among the bottom four contenders will not qualify for the race. The evolving structure of the Indy 500 qualifying has kept excitement high, particularly with the introduction of the Fast Six and Last Chance sessions. Television coverage of the event will be available on FOX, FS1, and FS2 throughout the weekend.