Following a day full of rain at IMS, IndyCar has confirmed what will happen on Sunday as the qualifying schedule for the Indy 500 has been updated. Championship points will also be awarded to the top 12, going from 12 for the polesitter to 1 for P12.
IndyCar statement on Indy 500 qualifying update
INDYCAR has announced an updated schedule for PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge after persistent rain forced the postponement of Day One of qualifications Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Beginning at noon ET Sunday, all 33 qualifiers will line up based on Friday’s qualifying draw and have one attempt to post a traditional four-lap qualifying speed and the opportunity to advance to subsequent qualifying rounds.
Due to the time parameters needed Sunday for “knockout rounds,” initial qualifying runs will determine positions 13-33, with the fastest 12 qualifiers continuing directly to a Top 12 round at approximately 4:30 p.m. Under this abbreviated format – like in previous years – the order of Sunday’s Top 12 begins in reverse of qualifying speeds from the cars’ initial qualifying attempts (12, 11, 10, 9, etc). Each car will have one attempt. Those finishing seventh through 12th will fill out starting positions seven through 12 according to their time and speed.
The fastest six will advance to the next round of “500” qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six to determine positions one through six.
Fans will be able to salute advancing teams ahead of the Top 12 and Firestone Fast Six rounds during a mandatory cool-down period, which will include laps behind the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Pace Car. Traveling at 100 mph, the laps will allow air to flow through the air ducts to help cool the engines before the dramatic next round.
The fastest in the Firestone Fast Six will claim the coveted NTT P1 Award and pole position for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and the accompanying $100,000 prize.2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship points also will be awarded for those who advance to the Top 12 qualifying session. The Indy 500 pole winner will receive 12 points, the second fastest will receive 11, and points awarded will decrease by one-point increments down to the 12th fastest (one point).
