Four Drivers Top 235 in Practice; Qualifying On Track Now

  • Racing News
Marcus Ericsson

It looks to be another afternoon of record-breaking speed Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after four drivers reached 235 mph during practice this morning for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

2022 “500” winner Marcus Ericsson led the one-hour session for drivers participating today in Fast 12 Qualifying at 38.1854 seconds, 235.692 mph in the No. 8 Huski Ice Spritz Honda. That’s the fifth-fastest practice lap in Indianapolis 500 history and the fastest since 1996.

SEE: Practice Results | Qualifying Format

2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou was second at 235.609 in the No. 10 The American Legion Honda. CGR drivers took the top three spots on the speed chart, as two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato was third at 235.121 in the No. 11 Deloitte Honda.

Ericsson, Palou and Sato turned their top laps with the benefit of an aerodynamic tow. The fastest non-tow lap was 235.026 by rookie Benjamin Pedersen in the No. 55 AJ Foyt Racing/Sexton Properties Chevrolet. That was the second-fastest practice lap by a rookie in “500” history, topped only by the 237.336 lap by Tony Stewart in 1996.

The 12 fastest drivers from qualifying Saturday will participate in Top 12 Qualifying from 2-3 p.m. ET today (live, Peacock and INDYCAR Radio Network), with the six fastest from that session competing for the pole in Firestone Fast Six Qualifying from 5:15-5:45 p.m. In between those two sessions, the four slowest drivers from today will compete for the final three spots in the field in Last Chance Qualifying from 4-5 p.m. NBC, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network will broadcast the last two sessions live from 4-6 p.m. 

The 107th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 (11 a.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, Universo, INDYCAR Radio Network).