IndyCar has unveiled significant changes to the 2026 Indianapolis 500 qualifying format as the fixed 33-car field eliminates bumping for the first time in four years.
The series has introduced a revised knockout-style sequence that changes how drivers will secure starting positions and creates a new “Final 15” round on Day 2 of qualifying, in a bid to sharpen competition and boost TV drama for the 110th running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.
Under the new procedure, Day 1 of qualifying, scheduled for Saturday May 16 from late morning into the afternoon, will determine grid positions 16 through 33 directly while the fastest nine cars will automatically be guaranteed spots in Sunday’s Top 12 qualifying session.
Drivers who occupy positions 13 through 15 after Day 1 will now be invited back on Day 2 (Sunday) into a newly created Final 15 round, joining the three cars that qualified 10th–12th from Saturday to create a six-car subgroup that will each receive one four-lap attempt in reverse order of their Day 1 speeds (slowest to fastest) for the opportunity to take one of three places in the Top 12.
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The established Top 12 qualifying procedure will remain in force after the Final 15 outcome, with the fastest twelve competitors from the combined sessions taking part in an elimination sequence that culminates with the Firestone Fast Six, where the pole sitter will be decided in a one-lap battle and will receive $100,000 prize.
Notably, the Fast Six and preceding rounds will continue to run cars in reverse order of the session’s running (slowest to fastest for four-lap averages), preserving an element of strategic order selection and track-condition management that teams have learned to exploit in prior years.
In an additional twist intended to reward qualifying performance in the series championship quest, IndyCar will award points to drivers who advance into the Top 12 qualifiers.
“Next to Race Day, Indianapolis 500 qualifying weekend is a can’t-miss moment on the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway calendar,” series president Doug Boles said. “As the past few seasons have proven, IndyCar has an incredibly deep and world-class field filled with current and rising stars.
“The expanded 2026 Indianapolis 500 qualifying format, which includes all rounds on FOX, will shine a massive spotlight on the remarkable skill it takes to start toward the front of our sport’s biggest event.
“Winning pole position for the ‘500’ carries with it one of the most prestigious honors in all of motorsports, and we know our fans – whether spending the day with us at the track or watching on FOX – will look forward to celebrating this year’s pole winner.”
