Indy 500 weather, speed chart
IndyStar • • general
Key Points:
- The 2026 Indianapolis 500 takes place on May 24 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, featuring 33 drivers including defending champion and pole-sitter Alex Palou and rookie Katherine Legge, who is attempting the Indy 500-NASCAR "Double."
- Race coverage begins on Fox at 10 a.m. ET, with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 p.m., featuring commentary by Will Buxton, James Hinchcliffe, and Townsend Bell, with additional reporting from Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee, and Jamie Little.
- Alexander Rossi, despite recent injuries from a crash, will compete without restrictions, starting second on the grid behind Palou; the field includes nine former winners and four rookies.
- NASCAR star Kyle Busch, who recently passed away, will be honored during the race by teams using his car numbers 8 and 18, as well as on the IMS scoring pylon on Lap 18, with tributes from veteran NASCAR drivers aired live.
- The race day schedule includes a variety of events such as multiple engine warm-ups, driver introductions, patriotic ceremonies, and a pace car driven by Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti, with actor Brendan Fraser waving the green flag.