Opening round of Indy 500 qualifying leaves big names looking a long way up the grid

The list of IndyCar drivers who were disappointed after the first portion of Sunday’s single-day qualifying was long as a vast list of Indianapolis 500 winners and front-runners were relegated outside the Fast 12. Their misfortune, however, should benefit fans as some of the fastest and most experienced drivers at the 500 will be starting midfield or worse, which tends to make for plenty of excitement.

Two-time Indy winner Takuma Sato was first on the list of those who were done for the day as the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver was just outside the transfer line in 13th (230.995mph). Three-time polesitter Ed Carpenter was 14th for ECR (230.829mph). Four-time winner Helio Castroneves was 15th for Meyer Shank Racing (230.881mph).

Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indy winner, was 18th for Andretti Global (230.667mph) and teammate Will Power, winner of the 2018 500, was 20th (230.279mph). Kyle Kirkwood, the third member of the Andretti trio, was stunned in 26th (229.607mph).

And in between Power and Kirkwood, there were some real surprises in 2014 Indy winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, who was 23rd for Arrow McLaren (230.202mph) and two-time Indy winner Josef Newgarden (pictured, top) in 24th for Team Penske (230.165mph).

“The cars have good speed, but I just had big chunk of understeer in (Turn) 2,” Carpenter said. “I tried to stay flat, but I was going to hit the wall, if I didn't lift. Disappointed.”

Sato. Carpenter. Castroneves. Ericsson. Power. Kirkwood. Hunter-Reay. Newgarden. That’s 12 combined Indy 500 victories and winners on other ovals who will be on the hunt to carve through the field once the green flag waves on May 24.

“Quite honestly, It's not the first time I've been in this position,” Kirkwood told RACER. “I've been starting on the back a lot at this race, and we've always driven forward. So, yeah, I imagine it'll be a good show for you guys. Hopefully, the weather stays a little cooler. We don't really want these hot conditions, because that makes the racing maybe a little bit boring. So, if it's cool, calm, like it was last year, you're gonna see some rocket ships at the back want to charge forward.”

ROUND 1 RESULTS