Indy 500 Qualifying 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Plus Nürburgring, Monaco & NASCAR This Week

Racing fans, here’s your motorsport weekend highlights.

From the electric streets of Monaco to the Monster Mile in Delaware, motorsport is delivering on every front. But the real showstopper this weekend? Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 kicks off Saturday, May 16. The race itself goes green Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m. ET on FOX. Before we get to the main event, though, let’s talk about everything else happening right now.

Max Verstappen Is Racing Into the Green Hell

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is doing something wild this weekend. He’s trading his Red Bull for a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo at the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours in Germany. He’s racing alongside teammates Dani Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer. The team qualified fourth on the grid after Juncadella clocked an 8:12.005 in Top Qualifying 3.

Verstappen admitted it was a “super difficult” experience but said he was satisfied with the result. This is his debut in the 24-hour version of the legendary Nordschleife race.

He won his debut GT3 race at the Nürburgring Endurance Series last year, driving a Ferrari 296. Now he’s stepping up to the big one. Meanwhile, Ford has confirmed talks with Verstappen about a future Le Mans 24 Hours entry. One day, he could chase the Triple Crown of Motorsport. For now, the Green Hell has his full attention.

Formula E Returns to the Crown Jewel of Street Circuits

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has reached its halfway point, and there’s no more fitting venue than Monaco. The iconic Circuit de Monaco hosts Rounds 9 and 10 this weekend, with racing Saturday and Sunday.

Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein enters Monaco with a narrow three-point lead over Mitch Evans. Mahindra’s Edoardo Mortara sits just five points back, and reigning world champion Oliver Rowland is gaining momentum fast.

All eight Formula E races held in Monaco have seen at least one driver gain nine or more positions from their starting grid spot. Expect drama, overtakes, and a title fight that just got very real.

NASCAR’s All-Star Race Is Worth $1 Million

The NASCAR All-Star Race moves to a new venue for 2026 — Dover Motor Speedway, the legendary Monster Mile. The race airs at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17 on FS1. The field is stacked, with names like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Blaney all locked in. Dover’s steep concrete banks should make for some seriously intense racing.

Now, the Main Event: Indy 500 Qualifying

This is the weekend Indianapolis fans have been waiting for. The 110th Indianapolis 500 qualifying process has gotten a serious upgrade this year — and it unfolds across two full days.

Day One — Saturday, May 16

Qualifying runs from 11 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. ET, with live coverage starting on FS2, then moving to FS1 and finally FOX. The goal on Day One is simple: set your speed and secure your spot. The top nine fastest cars from Day One earn a guaranteed berth in Sunday’s Top 12 round. Cars finishing 10th through 15th get one more shot on Day Two.

Day Two — Sunday, May 17

This is where it gets electric. At 4 p.m. ET on FOX, the Final 15 round begins. Cars ranked 10-15 from Day One run in reverse order of their qualifying speeds — starting with the 15th-fastest car. The three quickest advances to the Top 12 qualifying.

Then, at approximately 5 p.m., the Top 12 round begins. The three drivers advancing from the Final 15 go first. Then the nine locked-in cars from Day One run slowest to fastest. The six quickest earn a spot in the Firestone Fast Six.

The Firestone Fast Six

At approximately 6:35 p.m., it all comes down to this. Six drivers, one shot, pole position on the line. Each driver gets one four-lap attempt. They run in reverse order of their Top 12 results. The fastest driver takes the coveted NTT P1 Award and a $100,000 prize. The other five fill out the first two rows of the grid.

Championship points are also on the line. The pole winner earns 12 NTT INDYCAR SERIES points, with the rest awarded down the order to 12th place.

As INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles put it, this expanded format spotlights just how much skill it takes to start at the front of the biggest race in motorsport.

How to Watch Indy 500 Qualifying

Saturday, May 16: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. ET on FS2, FS1, and FOX
Sunday, May 17: Final 15 at 4 p.m., Top 12 at ~5 p.m., Firestone Fast Six at ~6:35 p.m. — all on FOX
INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls is available all weekend on SiriusXM 218 and the INDYCAR App

The 110th Indianapolis 500 goes green Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m. ET on FOX. This weekend lays the foundation for everything.