Inside Line: Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner?

Today’s question: Who will win the NTT P1 Award for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

Curt Cavin: Being 31st in line will not give Alex Palou (photo, above) ideal conditions for the first round of qualifying, but I expect the reigning Indy winner to sneak through to the Fast 12, which will put him on level ground for the rest of the session. Picking Palou for the pole isn’t going out on a limb, but the condensed format will make it challenging for him – for everyone, for that matter. It will be one-and-done with each round, so the drivers must execute four stressful laps. Only one of the best will win the pole, but isn’t nailing big moments what defines Palou?

Eric Smith: I’m taking Alexander Rossi (photo, above and top). There’s a reason he tied Kyffin Simpson for the most practice laps this past week. Rossi and ECR gained valuable data across all conditions for the 2016 Indy 500 winner to earn his first Indianapolis 500 pole. Rossi hasn’t won a pole since Road America in 2022, and none of his seven NTT P1 Awards have come on an oval … until Sunday.

Arni Sribhen: Scott McLaughlin (photo, above) has had a solid week of preparations for the Indianapolis 500. On Fast Friday, he showed he had speed, setting fast times in his only run of the day. Those seven laps convinced me that the 2024 Indianapolis 500 pole winner can repeat the feat on Sunday. McLaughlin and the Thirsty Threes are on a redemption tour this May, and nothing says May more than the “Yellow Submarine” starting up front.

Paul Kelly: Robert Shwartzman shocked the racing world by winning the pole last May, so why not another surprise? I’m picking Rinus VeeKay (photo, above). The Dutchman was third on the no-tow list on “Fast Friday” and has an advantageous qualifying draw position, fifth, that will help him make the Fast 12 on a day with air temperatures expected to climb into 80s for the first time during this event. Plus, VeeKay has history here as a quick qualifier. He qualified fourth, third, third, second and seventh in his first five “500” starts with ECR, slipping to 31st last year during a tough month with Dale Coyne Racing. But sailing has been smoother this month with Juncos Hollinger Racing, and I think VeeKay will be the first Dutchman on top of the Scoring Pylon after qualifying since Arie Luyendyk in 1999.