The buildup to the Indianapolis 500 took an unexpected twist Sunday when rookie Robert Shwartzman won the pole for the fabled race.
In five IndyCar Series races, Shwartzman has finished no better than 18th. Yet the 25-year-old is the first rookie to qualify on the Indy 500 pole since Teo Fabi in 1983.
That didn’t matter Sunday, when his four-lap average of 232.790 mph officially made his No. 83 Chevrolet the fastest car in qualifying.
Making the achievement even more surprising is that Shwartzman’s team, Prema Racing, is new to the IndyCar scene as well. The Italian team has competed in the Formula 2 series in Europe before debuting in the North American circuit this year.
“Honestly, it feels like I’m dreaming. I just had it in my dreams when I was going how would it feel to do such a good job in quali,” said Shwartzman, a dual citizen of Russia and Israel. “It’s the Indy 500. It’s the main race of the year. Honestly, it feels unbelievable.”
Takuma Sato of Japan, the 2017 and 2020 Indianapolis 500 champion, landed in the second spot after Shwartzman outpaced his speed.
Team Penske had a day to forget, with the cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power failing technical inspection for illegal modifications on the rear attenuator. Newgarden is the two-time defending champion.
Scott McLaughlin, meanwhile, had a major crash, slamming into the wall off Turn 2. Newgarden, Power and McLaughlin will settle for 10th, 11th and 12th positions on the starting grid.
“I’m OK. I’m just really, really, really, really, really sorry for everyone at Team Penske,” the New Zealander told reporters after being released from the medical center. “It was talking to me and I sort of felt it, and I probably should have backed out, but you’re trying to complete a run to see what it feels like, and was it worth the risk? Probably wasn’t. I’m incredibly sad.”
Marco Andretti, the grandson of racing icon Mario Andretti and son of team owner Michael Andretti, was among three drivers to make the field via last-chance qualifying. It will be his 20th consecutive start at the Indy 500.
Marcus Armstrong and Rinus VeeKay grabbed the other two remaining spots in the 33-car field, making Jacob Abel the one driver on the outside looking in.
The 109th running of the Indy 500 is scheduled for May 25.
–Field Level Media
