Alex Palou clinched the fastest speed during Day 1 of Indy 500 practice, clocking in at 225.937 mph in his #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. The practice launched at noon ET on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway as teams prepared for qualifications this weekend. Marcus Armstrong followed closely, just 0.0074 seconds behind. In an impressive showing, Conor Daly secured third as the quickest Chevy driver, while Scott Dixon rounded out the top five. Notably, Palou’s no-tow speed was significantly lower at 219.308 mph, marking him 16th in that regard.

By the Numbers
  • Palou's top speed: 225.937 mph
  • Second place, Armstrong: 225.895 mph (0.0074 seconds behind)
State of Play
  • First practice day on a 2.5-mile track concluded with Palou leading.
  • Pre-qualifying practices will further shape the field for the May 24 race.
What's Next

As teams gear up for PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying, strategies will evolve based on performance insights from practice. Expect more shifts in speed rankings as teams adjust setups for optimal performance on race day.

Bottom Line

Palou's impressive Day 1 performance signals he may be a strong contender for the Indy 500 title again, though fluctuations in no-tow speeds indicate varying competitive dynamics as teams continue to fine-tune their vehicles.