In one of the most stunning moments in recent IndyCar history, rookie driver Robert Shwartzman and PREMA Racing made a spectacular splash at the 109th Indianapolis 500. Shwartzman, competing in his very first oval race and driving for a first-year team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, shocked fans and competitors alike by claiming the coveted NTT P1 Award — the pole position for the iconic race. This achievement not only marked a fairy tale beginning for Shwartzman but also etched PREMA Racing’s name in the record books, demonstrating that newcomers can still shake up the established order at Indianapolis.
From Rookie to Record Breaker: Shwartzman’s Unbelievable Pole Run
Robert Shwartzman’s feat at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was historic on multiple fronts. Hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, Shwartzman became the first rookie to capture the Indy 500 pole since Teo Fabi accomplished the feat in 1983. Even more impressively, he is just the third rookie in history to win the pole on track and only the sixth first-year starter to lead the field to the green flag in what’s famously called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
The key moment came during the Firestone Fast Six qualifying session, where Shwartzman’s No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet blistered the oval with a four-lap average speed of 232.790 mph. The speed not only secured his top starting spot but also gave PREMA Racing the distinction of being the first team to claim the Indy 500 pole in its inaugural IndyCar attempt since Mayer Motor Racing put Tom Sneva on the pole in 1984.
“I was like, ‘This is a dream; it can’t be true,’” Shwartzman admitted after his pole run. “I don’t know what even to say. The car felt amazing. I can’t thank PREMA and Chevy enough. Coming here for my first oval race, I would never even expect it to be in this position. It’s unbelievable.”
Shwartzman’s journey to the pole was far from straightforward. The PREMA team, which recently transitioned from European racing to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, was still ironing out the kinks early in the month. On the first day of practice, they managed just 22 combined laps between Shwartzman and teammate Callum Ilott, struggling to prepare for both the oval and the infamous 500-mile challenge. Shwartzman’s early pace was modest, placing 33rd fastest out of 34 drivers on Tuesday and only marginally improving in subsequent sessions.
However, things took a decisive turn on Fast Friday when engine boost levels and horsepower were increased. Shwartzman’s car came alive, boosting him up to 13th fastest. From there, he broke into the Top 12 Qualifying session with a sixth-place time on Saturday and climbed further to third before stunning the field with his pole-winning run.
“I have to say big thanks to my engineers,” Shwartzman said. “They did an amazing job, step by step, by improving the car, trying new things. All of these steps that we did were just better, better, better. And then got to a point where the car was really good.”
The Competitive Landscape and Qualifying Drama
Joining Shwartzman on the front row are two highly experienced and accomplished drivers: two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward. Sato qualified second with an impressive 232.478 mph in the No. 75 AMADA Honda of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, while O’Ward secured the third starting position with a 232.098 mph run in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. The front row lineup symbolizes a thrilling mix of youth, experience, and international talent.
Behind them, the rest of the Firestone Fast Six qualifiers formed the second row: 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon in fourth, Felix Rosenqvist in fifth, and reigning series champion Alex Palou in sixth. Palou’s season has been dominant, winning four of the first five races, and his strong qualifying position confirms he will be a force to watch on race day.
Qualifying was not without its dramatic moments. Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power were disqualified from their Top 12 attempts due to a violation related to an unapproved body fit on the rear attenuator. This penalty relegated them to start 11th and 12th, respectively. Their teammate Scott McLaughlin also faced adversity after crashing heavily during pre-qualifying practice. Fortunately unhurt, McLaughlin’s damaged car forced the team to focus on repairs, and he will start 10th.
Meanwhile, the last spots in the field were fiercely contested in the Last Chance Qualifying session. Marco Andretti, carrying the legacy of his grandfather Mario Andretti, claimed the 31st spot after recovering from a difficult week. Marcus Armstrong, despite a nasty crash earlier in qualifying, and Rinus VeeKay also earned their places on the grid. Sadly, rookie Jacob Abel just missed qualifying, ending a tough week on a disappointing note.
Abel reflected on the difficulties: “We were happy all week long. The No. 51 Miller High Life car was fast. It just seemed like something happened overnight Friday to Saturday, and we just immediately lost speed. And it’s just been getting slower and slower every run.”
Robert Shwartzman’s pole position at the 109th Indianapolis 500 is a testament to perseverance, team effort, and raw talent. From struggling early in practice to leading the pack at the world’s most famous race, his story is a compelling narrative of a rookie making the impossible dream a reality. As the race day approaches, all eyes will be on Shwartzman and PREMA Racing to see if this remarkable qualifying success can translate into victory at Indy
