Rookie Robert Shwartzman stuns field to take shock pole for PREMA at 2025 Indy 500

In a jaw-dropping performance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, rookie Robert Shwartzman captured pole position for the 109th running of the Indy 500, becoming the first rookie to do so in more than four decades. The 25-year-old Israeli, piloting the No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet, recorded a blistering four-lap average of 232.790 mph to secure the top spot in only his first career oval race.

The pole marks a landmark moment not just for Shwartzman, but also for PREMA Racing, who are contesting their debut season in IndyCar. Their feat echoes the efforts of Mayer Motor Racing in 1984, who were the last first-time team to take pole at Indy.

“I was like, ‘This is a dream; it can’t be true,’” Shwartzman said after taking pole for the 2025 Indy 500. “I don’t know what even to say. The car felt amazing. I can’t thank PREMA and Chevy. Coming here for my first oval race, I would never even expect it to be in this position. It’s unbelievable.”

From backmarker to pole: The rise of Shwartzman and PREMA

What makes Shwartzman’s achievement of pole at the Indy 500 even more remarkable is how far the team has come in just a matter of days. PREMA completed only 22 laps across both cars on the opening day of practice, hampered by preparation delays and the steep learning curve of taking on the Speedway for the first time.

Shwartzman languished near the bottom of the time sheets early in the week—33rd on Tuesday, 32nd on Thursday—before a dramatic turnaround began on Fast Friday, when increased engine boost transformed the car’s performance. By Saturday’s initial qualifying phase, he was sixth-fastest. He then advanced to the Top 12 with a run of 232.008 mph before stunning the paddock with his pole-winning effort in the Firestone Fast Six.

“I have to say big thanks to my engineers,” Shwartzman added. “They did an amazing job, step by step, by improving the car, trying new things. All of these steps that we did were just better, better, better. And then got to a point where the car was really good.”

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He will be joined on the front row by two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato, who clocked a 232.478 mph run for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Pato O’Ward, whose 232.098 mph lap secured third for Arrow McLaren.

Scott Dixon, the 2008 Indy 500 winner, starts fourth for Chip Ganassi Racing, ahead of Felix Rosenqvist and current series leader Alex Palou, who rounds out the second row after a disappointing sixth-place result.

Further back, the final row was determined through Last Chance Qualifying. Marco Andretti, Marcus Armstrong, and Rinus VeeKay claimed the final three grid spots, while Jacob Abel was heartbreakingly bumped from the field after failing to match the required pace.

There was additional drama as Josef Newgarden and Will Power of Team Penske were disqualified from the Fast 12 due to illegal rear bodywork, relegating them to 11th and 12th, respectively, alongside Scott McLaughlin, who had earlier crashed in practice but retained his 10th starting spot.

As the green flag approaches for Sunday, May 25, Shwartzman’s story already feels like a script from a racing movie. What began as a modest debut week has turned into a moment of history—and with 500 miles still to race, his journey is only just beginning.

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• Legend: R – Indianapolis 500 Rookie. W – Indianapolis 500 winner