The legendary Indianapolis 500 returns on Sunday, May 24, 2026, as the 110th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” promises another unforgettable day at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fans from around the world will tune in for one of the biggest events in motorsports as the stars of the IndyCar Series battle over 200 laps on the historic 2.5-mile oval.
Spanish driver Álex Palou captured the pole position for the 2026 Indianapolis 500 with a blazing four-lap average speed of 232.248 mph. Palou will lead the 33-car field to the green flag as he searches for his first Indianapolis 500 victory.
Live television coverage for the race begins at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, while the official green flag is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET.
2026 Indianapolis 500 Green Flag Time
- Race Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
- Green Flag Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: FOX (begins at 10 a.m. ET)
- Venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Race Distance: 200 laps (500 miles)
2026 Indianapolis 500 Starting Lineup
Row 1
- Álex Palou
- Alexander Rossi
- David Malukas
Row 2
- Felix Rosenqvist
- Santino Ferrucci
- Pato O’Ward
Row 3
- Kyffin Simpson
- Conor Daly
- Scott McLaughlin
Notable Drivers in the Field
- Scott Dixon starts 10th
- Takuma Sato lines up 12th
- Hélio Castroneves begins 14th
- Josef Newgarden starts 23rd
- Romain Grosjean rolls off 24th
- Rookie Mick Schumacher starts 27th
- Graham Rahal begins 28th
Full 2026 Indy 500 Race Day Schedule
Race day at Indianapolis is packed with tradition, entertainment, and ceremonies before engines fire for the main event.
| Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:00 a.m. | Gates Open |
| 8:15 a.m. | Snake Pit Concert featuring DJ Zedd |
| 9:20 a.m. | Engine Warm-Up |
| 9:30 a.m. | Red Carpet |
| 10:15 a.m. | Engine Warm-Up |
| 10:37 a.m. | Past Winners Lap |
| 10:50 a.m. | Historic Cars Lap |
| 11:25 a.m. | Military Appreciation Lap |
| 11:35 a.m. | Engine Warm-Up |
| 11:47 a.m. | Driver Introductions |
| 12:24 p.m. | National Anthem by Jordin Sparks |
| 12:29 p.m. | Drivers to Your Cars |
| 12:36 p.m. | “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Jim Cornelison |
| 12:38 p.m. | Command to Start Engines by Roger Penske |
| 12:45 p.m. | Green Flag for the Indianapolis 500 |
The 2026 Indianapolis 500 features several major celebrity appearances, including actor Brendan Fraser waving the green flag and football coach Curt Cignetti driving the pace car. Music star Jordin Sparks will perform the national anthem before the race begins.
With a stacked field, legendary traditions, and massive anticipation surrounding the 110th running of the race, the 2026 Indianapolis 500 is set to deliver another thrilling chapter in motorsports history.