Scott McLaughlin secures historic Indy 500 pole

Scott McLaughlin roars to pole position in historic Penske sweep at Indianapolis 500

Scott McLaughlin will start the 2024 Indianapolis 500 from pole position, leading a Penske sweep of the front row.

McLaughlin set a new all-time qualifying speed record for the Indianapolis 500, showcasing his prowess and securing the top spot with a four-lap average of 234.220 mph.

This performance not only earned him the pole but also surpassed the previous record of 234.217 mph set by Alex Palou in 2023.

The battle for pole position was fierce, featuring six drivers who advanced to the Fast 6.

Among them were McLaughlin’s Penske teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power, McLaren drivers Alexander Rossi and Kyle Larson, and A.J. Foyt’s Santino Ferrucci. McLaughlin’s #3 car was the last to run, needing to top Power’s 233.917 mph to secure pole. He delivered under pressure, setting the record-breaking average speed.

This achievement marks the first Penske front-row lockout since 1988 when Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, and Al Unser Sr. took the top three spots.

Joining McLaughlin on the front row are Power, the 2018 Indy 500 winner, and Newgarden, the defending race winner. Notably, McLaughlin is the only one of the trio who has not yet won the prestigious race.

NASCAR star Kyle Larson will start fifth, managing a busy schedule as he prepares for the Cup Series' Coke 600 next Sunday.

Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indy 500 winner, secured his place in the race after a challenging practice week. Ericsson found himself at risk of being bumped from the field but managed to qualify 32nd with his final run, ensuring his participation and pushing Graham Rahal to the bubble position.

The drama intensified as rookie Nolan Siegel crashed on his second lap, ultimately being bumped from the 33-car field. Katherine Legge and Rahal also faced challenges but managed to secure their spots.

The stage is set for an exhilarating race, with McLaughlin leading the charge in what promises to be a thrilling 2024 Indianapolis 500.