Four-time IndyCar Series champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Álex Palou opened his title defense in strong fashion by setting the fastest lap in the first practice session for the 2026 Indy 500 on Tuesday. Hélio Castroneves was the top Brazilian finisher in 15th place, while Caio Collet ended the day in 30th.
The Spanish driver, who was first on track for the six‑hour session, remained relatively low‑key due to what he described as a “balance issue.” However, he returned in the final 10 minutes and clocked a lap at 225.937 mph to top the speed chart in the No. 10 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing had led for much of the day with a fast lap of 225.895 mph until Palou surpassed him late. Conor Daly, driving the Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, took third at 225.838 mph, while two‑time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden placed fourth at 225.121 mph.
Six‑time series champion Scott Dixon (2008 Indy 500 winner) took fifth at 225.087 mph in the No. 9 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing. Graham Rahal (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) was sixth, followed by Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) in seventh. Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) ranked eighth, Romain Grosjean (Dale Coyne Racing) ninth, and David Malukas (Team Penske) tenth.
Beyond the top‑10 in overall speeds, Kirkwood also led the no‑tow speed list at 222.062 mph. His teammate Will Power, the 2018 Indy 500 winner, was second in that category at 221.455 mph. Jack “Hollywood” Harvey was third for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
Alexander Rossi of ECR, who finished 13th overall at 223.585 mph, completed 116 laps—the most of any driver in the session. He was the only driver to exceed 100 laps. Daly and Rossi’s teammate Christian Rasmussen tied
