Firestone Fast Six Qualifiers Set for Thrilling Indy 500
The 2023 Indianapolis 500 threw everyone for a loop—rookie Robert Shwartzman snagged pole position, something that hasn’t happened in over forty years. His jaw-dropping Firestone Fast 6 qualifying run left veterans trailing and sparked real buzz for the big race.
Let’s dig into the wild qualifying rounds, Team Penske’s rough weekend, and how the final grid looks for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
Robert Shwartzman: The Rookie Sensation
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Robert Shwartzman, who barely had any oval experience, shocked the motorsport world by grabbing pole for the 2023 Indianapolis 500. In the No. 83 car, he ripped around the track at over 233 mph on his first lap, finishing with a four-lap average of 232.790 mph.
That kind of pace put him ahead of big names like Takuma Sato and Pato O’Ward, and locked him into a front-row start. Not bad for a rookie, right?
Breaking Down Shwartzman’s Performance
The way Shwartzman took pole was just wild. In the Firestone Fast 6, he went out fourth and somehow beat two former Indy 500 winners plus this season’s top IndyCar driver.
His first lap hit over 233 mph, and he kept it rolling with a 232.790 mph average. That run didn’t just get him pole—it made people sit up and take notice. The kid’s got something special.
Challenges for Team Penske
Team Penske just couldn’t catch a break during qualifying. Scott McLaughlin, hoping for back-to-back Indy 500 poles, crashed during Sunday’s practice and couldn’t run in the Top 12 Qualifying.
To pile on, Josef Newgarden and Will Power failed tech inspections because of modified attenuators. Officials bumped their cars to the back row.
Impact on Team Penske’s Lineup
With all that mess, none of Penske’s three drivers in the top 12 even got to make a qualifying run on Sunday. That’s a sharp contrast to last year, when they swept the front row.
McLaughlin kept his 10th spot, but Newgarden and Power got shuffled all the way to the back. That’s got to change how the team approaches the race.
Last Chance Qualifying Drama
The Last Chance Qualifying session had its own brand of chaos. Four drivers—Marcus Armstrong, Marco Andretti, Jacob Abel, and Rinus VeeKay—scrapped for the final three spots in the 33-car field.
Armstrong, who crashed on Saturday, made a gutsy comeback with a 229.091 mph run. That got him into the race.
Final Spots Determined
Marco Andretti put up a 229.741 mph run to claim the 31st position. VeeKay’s first attempt at 227.740 mph was just enough, but he rolled the dice and tried again, only to post a slower 226.913 mph.
Abel’s best shot was 226.394 mph, which just wasn’t enough to make the cut. After Penske’s violations, Andretti, Armstrong, and VeeKay all moved up two spots each, landing in 29th, 30th, and 31st.
Firestone Fast 6: The Battle for the Pole
The Firestone Fast 6 session really brought the heat. Takuma Sato, who’s won the Indy 500 twice, set an early mark with a four-lap average of 232.478 mph.
But then Shwartzman went out and absolutely smashed it, locking in pole position.
Top Performers in the Fast 6
When the dust settled, Shwartzman sat on pole, with Sato and O’Ward right behind. Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alex Palou rounded out the Fast 6.
All of them had strong runs, but honestly, nobody could touch the rookie’s speed and poise that day.
Complete Starting Lineup for the 109th Running
The starting lineup for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is set. Robert Shwartzman starts up front, leading the pack.
- Robert Shwartzman
- Takuma Sato
- Pato O’Ward
- Scott Dixon
- Felix Rosenqvist
- Alex Palou
- David Malukas
- Christian Lundgaard
- Marcus Ericsson
- Scott McLaughlin
- Conor Daly
- Alexander Rossi
- Kyffin Simpson
- Ed Carpenter
- Santino Ferrucci
- Devlin DeFrancesco
- Sting Ray Robb
- Christian Rasmussen
- Kyle Larson
- Louis Foster
- Callum Ilott
- Helio Castroneves
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Nolan Siegel
- Ryan Hunter-Reay
- Jack Harvey
- Colton Herta
- Graham Rahal
- Marco Andretti
- Marcus Armstrong
- Rinus VeeKay
- Josef Newgarden
- Will Power
Drivers are gearing up for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500. The stage feels electric, and honestly, who wouldn’t be excited?
This year brings a wild mix of veterans and fresh faces. If you want the latest on qualifying, check out the official Indianapolis 500 qualifying updates.
