2026 Indianapolis 500
110th running of the Indianapolis 500
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The 2026 Indianapolis 500 (branded as the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for sponsorship reasons) is an upcoming IndyCar Series race that will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.[3][4] The race will be round seven of the NTT IndyCar Series season. The month of May activities formally begin with the Sonsio Grand Prix on the combined road course on May 9. The race will be televised on Fox.[3] This will be the first "500" since the Fox Corporation acquired a one-third stake in INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway parent company Penske Entertainment in August 2025.[5][6]
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| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | IndyCar | ||||
| Season | 2026 IndyCar Series | ||||
| Date | May 24, 2026 | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| Pace car | Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X | ||||
| Pace car driver | Curt Cignetti[1] | ||||
| Television in the United States | |||||
| Network | Fox[2] | ||||
| Announcers | Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, Townsend Bell | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
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Practice will begin on Tuesday, May 12, and Time Trials will be held on May 16â17. Carb Day, the traditional final day of practice, along with the Pit Stop Challenge, will take place on May 22.[3] A full-field open test was held April 28â29, which included rookie orientation. Ãlex Palou is the defending winner, and three-time defending IndyCar Series champion.
Race background
The Indianapolis 500, commonly called the Indy 500, is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile (4.02 km) paved oval. First held in 1911, it is currently a points-paying race of the NTT IndyCar Series. The event is contested by "Indy cars", a formula of professional-level, single-seat, open cockpit, open-wheel, purpose-built race cars. The race is the most prestigious event of the IndyCar calendar, and one of the oldest and most important automobile races in the world.[7] The race traditionally has a field of 33 cars.
Track improvements
According to Speedway president Doug Boles, track maintenance crews been investigating bumps in Turn 2 since 2019. During track evaluations prior to the 2025 race, the Turn 2 bump in question was considerably higher than in the past. The pavement was pressed in an attempt to reduce the severity. In July 2025, during the Brickyard 400, the severity of the bumps in Turn 2 were reported by drivers and crew chiefs during the track walk and all sessions.[8]
On September 23, 2025, construction crews excavated the section of track in question. It was determined that bricks originally installed in 1909 (that had been paved over by asphalt in 1937) had expanded and split due to moisture, which raised the pavement. The damaged bricks were removed and a new base was applied. The section of the track was repaved, followed by diamond grinding to blend the new section with the adjacent asphalt. The track was allowed to cure for four weeks before the late October Speedway tests for Firestone.[9]
Rule changes
- A new entity, titled IndyCar Officiating, Inc. has been created, tasked with governing over the IndyCar Series and Indy NXT. It will inlcudes a three-person Independent Officiating Board (IOB) consisting of: Ray Evernham, Raj Nair (Ford), and Ronan Morgan (FIA).[10] Scot Elkins will serve as Managing Director of Officiating.[11] The move separates race control and technical inspection from Penske Entertainment, which owns INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in an effort to eliminate perceived conflicts of interest. In 2025, Team Penske was penalized for technical infractions during Indy 500 qualifying, resulting in two cars being moved to the back of the grid, monetary fines, and points deductions.[12][13][14] The controversy led to the dismissal of team president Tim Cindric,[15] and widespread calls for officiating reform. In January 2026, Team Penske revealed that Cindric had returned to the team as a strategist.[16]
- Tire ramp flaps will be mandatory on all cars. The flaps are designed to deploy in a spin and/or during rearward movement in order to reduce the likelihood of lift, preventing the car from becoming airborne.[17] The flaps are similar in concept to the roof flaps introduced in NASCAR in 1994.
- Each entry is permitted 31 sets of tires for the entirety of the event, plus 5 additional sets for use during the Open Test.[18] This is down from 32 sets and 8 sets, respectively in 2025.[19] During the Rookie Orientation Program/Refresher Tests session, drivers taking rookie tests receive three additional sets, and drivers taking refresher tests receive two additional sets, for use during that session only.
Sponsorship
Online financial services company Gainbridge signed an initial four-year deal for presenting sponsorship of the Indianapolis 500 from 2019 to 2022.[20] A multi-year extension was signed in 2022.[21][22] On November 6, 2025, Gainbridge signed another multi-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.[23]
2026 IndyCar Series
The 2026 Indianapolis 500 will be the seventh race of the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season.[24] Ãlex Palou won the season opener at St. Petersburg. Josef Newgarden won at Phoenix, and Kyle Kirkwood won at Arlington. Palou won for the second and third time this season at Alabama and Long Beach. The Sonsio Grand Prix will be the final race before the 500, held on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on May 9.
Current points standings (Top 5)
| Pos | Driver | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ãlex Palou |
205 |
| 2 |  Kyle Kirkwood |
188 |
| 3 | David Malukas |
142 |
| 4 |  Pato O'Ward |
136 |
| 5 |  Christian Lundgaard |
131 |
Race schedule
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Entry list
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All entries will utilize a spec Dallara DW12 chassis with the UAK-18 universal aero kit and the 2020-adopted aeroscreen. Honda (HRC US) and Chevrolet (Ilmor) are the engine providers. Firestone is the exclusive tire supplier. This will be the second year of hybrid energy recovery system powertrains at Indianapolis.[26]
The official entry list is typically released in early May. Based on announced rides, as of April 27 there are currently 33 confirmed entries for the race. This includes 25 full-time IndyCar Series entries,[27] and eight one-off or "Indy-only" entries for:
- Jacob Abel â Abel Motorsports[28]
- Ed Carpenter â Ed Carpenter Racing
- Hélio Castroneves â Meyer Shank Racing[29]
- Conor Daly â Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
- Jack Harvey â Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
- Ryan Hunter-Reay â Arrow McLaren with Legacy Motor Club[30]
- Katherine Legge â A.J. Foyt Enterprises[31]
- Takuma Sato â Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL)[32][33][34]
Andretti Global was planning to run a fourth car in an "Indy-only" entry with the #98 car, but on April 9, Formula 2 (F2) announced it had added a race in Canada that conflicts with the 500, which precludes Colton Herta, who is competing full-time in F2 in 2026, from racing in the 500.[35] The original F2 calendar had no races scheduled for May, which would have allowed Herta to compete at Indy.[36] However, the F2 schedule was revised due to the Iran war,[37][38] and a direct scheduling conflict arose for Herta.[39]
PREMA Racing had two Chevrolet engine leases for the 2026 IndyCar Series season, but is currently undergoing an ownership shake-up which has left the team in limbo regarding competing in any of the 2026 events.[40] On April 10, it was announced PREMA will not enter the Indianapolis 500. As a result, their two engines were released to existing teams, but PREMA is still hopeful of an IndyCar return later in 2026.
It is likely to be the first time since 2022 that no bumping will take place, however, several drivers are pursuing an option: Devlin DeFrancesco, who raced full-time for RLL in 2025, and Stefan Wilson, who last competed in 2023.[41]
- W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
- R Indianapolis 500 rookie
Testing and Rookie Orientation
Rookie rules for the Indianapolis 500 include the mandate that a driver pass a supervised high-speed oval test before he/she is allowed to participate in the official Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.[77] Approved venues for the initial high-speed oval track test include Texas Motor Speedway, HomesteadâMiami Speedway, and a few other select venues.[78]
The Rookie Orientation Program at Indianapolis consists of three phases. For phase 1, each driver is required to complete ten laps between 205â210 mph (330â338 km/h), while demonstrating satisfactory car control, proper racing line, and safe interaction with other cars on the circuit. The laps do not have to be consecutive. Phase 2 is fifteen laps between 210â215 mph (338â346 km/h), and phase 3 is fifteen laps over 215 mph (346 km/h). Veteran drivers that have not competed in an IndyCar oval race since the previous year's Indy 500 are required to take a refresher test. The refresher test consists of phase 2 and phase 3 of the aforementioned rookie test.[79]
Testing â October 2025
On October 20â21, 2025, the Speedway organized private testing. Ãlex Palou (Ganassi) and Pato O'Ward (Arrow McLaren) participated in tire tests for Firestone, including evaluating the newly repaved section of track to remove bumps in turn 2. A new tire compound was developed in order to address weight balance issues stemming from the hybrid system first used at the Speedway in 2025. Alexander Rossi (ECR) and Takuma Sato (RLLR) tested brake and damper components for speedway-specific braking systems (used at Indianapolis and Nashville).[80]
Rookie oval tests
The series hosted a high-speed oval rookie evaluation test at Nashville Superspeedway on November 6, 2025. Two drivers participated: Dennis Hauger (Coyne) and Caio Collet (Foyt). No incidents were reported. Both drivers completed their evaluations and were approved to take the Rookie Orientation Program at the April Open Test at Indianapolis.[81]
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing conducted a private oval evaluation test for rookie driver Mick Schumacher at HomesteadâMiami Speedway on February 4, 2026. Schumacher, guided by driver coach Ryan Briscoe, took his first laps on an oval, completing 97 laps without incident. He posted a top lap of 194 mph.[82][83]
Open Test Day 1 â Tuesday April 28
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The first day of open testing was scheduled for April 28.[84] After a five-minute period for install laps, the track was first made available for veterans from 10:05 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rookie Orientation and Refresher Tests took place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The track was then open to all cars from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.[85] During the final hour, "hot pits" were in effect, allowing drivers to practice entering/exiting the pits, and crews were allowed to practice pit stops.
- Weather: 64 °F (18 °C); Mostly cloudy early, fair late
- Summary: The first veteran session began as scheduled at 10:05 a.m. A total of 24 drivers turned laps during the session, with Josef Newgarden running fastest at 223.415 mph (359.552 km/h).[86] One minor incident occurred during the session, when Romain Grosjean collided with a bird, bringing out a caution for debris, and causing some clean up of his car to be needed.[87]
- The Rookie Orientation and Refresher Test session began immediately following the veteran's test, with nine drivers scheduled to participate. Jack Harvey, Ed Carpenter, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Hélio Castroneves completed their veteran refresher tests, while Caio Collet, Jacob Abel, and Mick Schumacher completed all three phases of their rookie tests. Dennis Hauger completed phases 1 and 2 of his rookie test, and was given permission to complete the final phase during the full-field session later in the afternoon.[88] Katherine Legge, the final driver required to complete a refresher test, experienced clutch problems and was unable to complete any laps at speed. As a result, she was not permitted to participate in the full-field session.[89]
- The full-field test session began at 2:00 p.m., with the track open until 6:00 p.m. Conor Daly set the fastest speed of the day, running a lap at 225.394 mph (362.736 km/h) late in the day. His teammate Jack Harvey ran the fastest "no-tow" lap â a lap without the assistance of aerodynamic drafting â at 220.318 mph (354.567 km/h). Only one incident was reported. At 5:34 p.m., Christian Rasmussen came to a stop on track at the exit of turn 2 with a loose right-rear wheel. The car was undamaged, but needed to be towed off of the race track.[87][90]
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Engine | Speed (mph) | Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 | Conor Daly |
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing | Chevrolet | 225.394 | 362.736 |
| 2 | 06 |  Hélio Castroneves |
Meyer Shank Racing | Honda | 225.200 | 362.424 |
| 3 | 75 |  Takuma Sato |
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Honda | 224.800 | 361.781 |
| Official Report | ||||||
Open Test Day 2 â Wednesday April 29
The morning session was originally scheduled for 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the afternoon session was scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.[85] An additional special session from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. was announced the previous evening for Katherine Legge to complete her refresher test.[91] However, overnight rain delayed the start of testing by one hour and fifteen minutes. The scheduled was revised, shifting the early session to 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Legge's ROP session was moved to 1:15 p.m., and the afternoon session was changed to 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. After some observed weepers in the new pavement section at the exit of turn two on Tuesday, some minor patching was done overnight. In the final hour, "hot pits" were once again in effect, with drivers this time permitted to enter the pit lane off of turn four, to simulate the race day configuration.
- Weather: 63 °F (17 °C); cloudy to mostly cloudy
- Summary: Day two of testing began at 11:15 a.m. after track drying from overnight rain was completed. Rookie driver Caio Collet was fastest during the morning session, running a lap at 226.381 mph (364.325 km/h).[92] This lap would be the fastest of the day, as it was not matched during the afternoon session. Jack Harvey turned the fastest "no-tow" lap for the second day in a row during the morning session, running a lap at 221.112 mph (355.845 km/h).
- From 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., the track was made available for Katherine Legge to complete her veteran refresher test. Legge successfully completed the refresher test, and was cleared to take part in further testing.
- From 2:15 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. the track was open to all drivers. Josef Newgarden was fastest in the afternoon session, turning a lap at 225.617 mph (363.095 km/h). One significant incident occurred at 3:27 p.m. Jack Harvey suffered a major engine failure in turn four. The car billowed large amounts of smoke and briefly caught fire before Harvey brought the car to a stop in the pit lane.[93] Earlier, at 2:58 p.m., a brief yellow came out after a fox ran across the track in turn one, and was narrowly missed by Takuma Sato.
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Engine | Speed (mph) | Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Caio Collet R |
A. J. Foyt Racing | Chevrolet | 226.381 | 364.325 |
| 2 | 2 | Josef Newgarden |
Team Penske | Chevrolet | 226.223 | 364.071 |
| 3 | 10 | Ãlex Palou |
Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 225.272 | 362.540 |
| Official Report | ||||||
Broadcasting
Television
The race will be televised live by Fox in the second year of a multi-year contract. On February 18, 2026, Fox announced their primary broadcast team for the IndyCar season, with Will Buxton serving as lead commentator and driver analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell each returning from 2025.[94]
| Fox | ||
|---|---|---|
| Booth announcers | Pre/Post-race | Pit reporters |
| Announcer: Will Buxton Color: Townsend Bell Color: James Hinchcliffe |
Host: TBA Analyst: TBA Features: TBA |
Georgia Henneberry Kevin Lee Jamie Little |
Radio
The race will be broadcast by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. The chief announcer will be Mark Jaynes in his eleventh year as chief announcer, and 31st year overall with the network.