Alex Palou will start from pole on the Bommarito 500 starting grid after delivering another emphatic qualifying performance at World Wide Technology Raceway, where the Chip Ganassi Racing driver underlined why he remains the driver to beat in the 2026 IndyCar season.
The reigning and four time IndyCar Series champion was the final driver to make a qualifying run around the 1.25 mile oval, and he made the moment count. Palou posted a two lap average of 174.353mph in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing car, beating David Malukas by more than one mph to secure pole for the Bommarito 500.
It was another major statement from Palou, who is chasing a fifth IndyCar title and continues to combine consistency with single lap authority. His latest pole also extended his impressive run over the past month and gives him clear track position for a race where traffic, tyre management and timing through the pit cycles can all become decisive.
“It’s incredible,” Palou said. “My car was on rails today. It was incredible. It’s a place that I struggle the most, so far. Hopefully, we can change that tomorrow. I knew this morning our car is super quick. The Honda had a lot of power, but I didn’t really expect to get the pole here today.. Yeah, just incredible. Super proud.”
Full IndyCar starting lineup for World Wide Technology Raceway
The Bommarito 500 will be run at World Wide Technology Raceway, an egg shaped oval that rewards commitment but can punish any car that falls out of balance over a long stint. With Palou on pole and several race winners close behind, the early laps could shape the whole afternoon.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Car No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Palou | Chip Ganassi Racing | 10 |
| 2 | David Malukas | Team Penske | 12 |
| 3 | Kyle Kirkwood | Andretti Global | 27 |
| 4 | Felix Rosenqvist | Meyer Shank Racing | 60 |
| 5 | Scott McLaughlin | Team Penske | 3 |
| 6 | Marcus Armstrong | Meyer Shank Racing | 66 |
| 7 | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing | 9 |
| 8 | Josef Newgarden | Team Penske | 2 |
| 9 | Pato O’Ward | Arrow McLaren | 5 |
| 10 | Alexander Rossi | Ed Carpenter Racing | 20 |
| 11 | Graham Rahal | Rahal Letterman Lanigan | 15 |
| 12 | Marcus Ericsson | Andretti Global | 28 |
| 13 | Rinus VeeKay | Juncos Hollinger Racing | 76 |
| 14 | Kyffin Simpson | Chip Ganassi Racing | 8 |
| 15 | Santino Ferrucci | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | 14 |
| 16 | Christian Lundgaard | Arrow McLaren | 7 |
| 17 | Louis Foster | Rahal Letterman Lanigan | 45 |
| 18 | Mick Schumacher | Rahal Letterman Lanigan | 47 |
| 19 | Christian Rasmussen | Ed Carpenter Racing | 21 |
| 20 | Caio Collet | A.J. Foyt Enterprises | 4 |
| 21 | Will Power | Andretti Global | 26 |
| 22 | Nolan Siegel | Arrow McLaren | 6 |
| 23 | Romain Grosjean | Dale Coyne Racing | 18 |
| 24 | Dennis Hauger | Dale Coyne Racing | 19 |
| 25 | Sting Ray Robb | Juncos Hollinger Racing | 77 |
Bommarito 500 starting grid led by Alex Palou
Malukas starts second for Team Penske after setting a two lap average of 173.244mph, putting him on the front row at a track where he has often looked comfortable. The result gives Team Penske a strong chance to attack from the start, particularly with Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden also inside the top eight.
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Kyle Kirkwood starts third for Andretti Global after a 173.206mph average, while Felix Rosenqvist lines up fourth for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian. McLaughlin completes the top five for Team Penske, ahead of Marcus Armstrong, Scott Dixon and Newgarden.
The front half of the grid is packed with proven oval strength. Newgarden, a record five time winner at World Wide Technology Raceway, starts eighth, while Pato O’Ward begins ninth for Arrow McLaren after failing to translate his practice pace into a front row qualifying run.
Key names to watch on the Bommarito 500 grid
The second row could be especially important. Kirkwood has shown strong form at World Wide Technology Raceway, while Rosenqvist has carried momentum from his Indianapolis 500 triumph and gives Meyer Shank Racing a genuine attacking platform.
Behind them, Team Penske have three cars inside the top eight, with Malukas, McLaughlin and Newgarden all well placed. Newgarden’s eighth place start may not look spectacular on paper, but his track record at WWTR makes him impossible to ignore.
Further back, Will Power has work to do from 21st after a difficult qualifying run for Andretti Global. Romain Grosjean and Dennis Hauger start together on row 12 for Dale Coyne Racing, while Sting Ray Robb completes the field for Juncos Hollinger Racing.
For Palou, the equation is simple. Pole gives him the cleanest path into the race, but World Wide Technology Raceway rarely allows a driver to coast. With Malukas, Kirkwood, Rosenqvist and a group of proven oval winners behind him, the championship leader still has plenty to manage when the green flag falls.
