SouthernWorldwide.com – The Indianapolis 500, widely recognized as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” is set to host its 110th running this weekend at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event promises a thrilling experience from Friday’s opening festivities to Sunday’s main race, with FOX providing comprehensive broadcast coverage of all the exciting moments.
This guide offers essential details about the 2026 Indy 500, catering to both newcomers to the sport and those seeking a refresher on the race’s intricacies. For those desiring more in-depth racing information leading up to the event, further resources are readily available.
The prestigious Indy 500 is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in the Speedway suburb, just outside of Indianapolis. The anticipated start time for the 2026 race is approximately 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24.
The iconic oval track measures 2.5 miles per lap, meaning the 500-mile race comprises a total of 200 laps. Last year’s winner, Alex Palou, completed the 2025 race in an impressive two hours and 57 minutes, with the average race duration typically around three hours.
Fans can tune into the Indy 500 pre-race and race broadcasts on FOX. Streaming options include FOX One, FOX Sports.com, and the FOX Sports App, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers.
Coverage for the event will commence at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, on FOX with the highly anticipated pre-race show. The pre-race coverage will be expertly led by veteran host Chris Myers, who will be joined by esteemed former INDYCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick.
The live race broadcast will feature the commentary team of Will Buxton, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe. Providing real-time updates from the pits will be Jamie Little, Kevin Lee, and Georgia Henneberry. FOX Sports’ Tom Rinaldi will be on-site, delivering engaging features and interviews throughout the day.
FOX Sports’ popular program “First Things First” will also make an appearance. Additionally, Rob Gronkowski is slated to be part of the energetic all-day party at the Snake Pit on Sunday.
Alex Palou, the reigning Indy 500 champion from 2025, secured pole position for this year’s race during qualifying at IMS on Sunday, May 17. He will be joined on the front row by Alexander Rossi, with David Malukas starting in third place, directly behind Palou.
Notably, Palou also captured pole position in 2023 but finished that race in fourth place. This year, however, Palou achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first defending Indy 500 champion to win the pole position the following year since Hélio Castroneves accomplished the feat in 2010.
The coveted trophy awarded to the Indy 500 victor is the Borg-Warner Trophy, named after its creator and sponsor, the automotive supplies company BorgWarner. Standing an impressive 5-feet-4 inches tall and weighing 110 pounds, the trophy is valued at approximately $3.5 million.
Each winner’s face is sculpted onto the trophy, with their names engraved, dating back to the inaugural victor, Ray Harroun, in 1911. This makes the trophy a historical artifact as well as a symbol of racing excellence.
The various flags used in the Indy 500, and in motorsports generally, function similarly to traffic signals, conveying critical information to drivers and officials. These flags are essential for maintaining order and safety on the track.
Green: Indicates that the race is underway or has resumed. Drivers are permitted to race at full speed.
Yellow: Signals a caution period. All drivers must slow down and maintain a reduced speed. Overtaking is prohibited during yellow flag conditions.
Red: Signifies a complete stop. All drivers must bring their cars to a halt, typically in the pit lane or on the track, depending on the situation.
Black: A directive for a specific driver to stop their car and proceed to the pits. This is usually issued for a rule infraction or mechanical issue.
Black-and-white checkered: This flag marks the official end of the race. The first driver to cross the finish line under this flag is declared the winner.
The Indy 500 consistently attracts a highly competitive field, and the 2026 edition is no exception. The lineup boasts nine previous Indy 500 winners, including three multi-time champions, and five former INDYCAR champions, underscoring the depth of talent participating.
The following is a list of past Indy 500 champions competing for the 2026 title, along with the year(s) they emerged victorious:
- Alex Palou (2025)
- Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024)
- Marcus Ericsson (2022)
- Hélio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021)
- Takuma Sato (2017, 2020)
- Will Power (2018)
- Alexander Rossi (2016)
- Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014)
- Scott Dixon (2008)
This year’s race also features four rookie drivers making their debut at the Indy 500: Jacob Abel, Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger, and Mick Schumacher. Caio Collet initially qualified strongly in 10th position but was subsequently moved to the back of the field due to a technical violation concerning his car.
Mick Schumacher will start in 27th place, Dennis Hauger in 29th, and Jacob Abel in 30th, all positioned toward the rear of the starting grid.
Carb Day, held on the Friday preceding the race weekend, serves as the final day of build-up and excitement. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host a variety of festivities, commencing at 11 a.m. ET with the final practice session for the Indy 500.
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At 2 p.m. ET, the popular Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 is scheduled. Following the exciting Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge, the day will culminate with musical performances by the bands Switchfoot and Counting Crows.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway earned its nickname “The Brickyard” due to its original repaving with bricks in 1909. This decision was made after the track’s initial asphalt surface proved to be the cause of dangerous and fatal accidents.
After more than 25 years of racing on bricks, the IMS transitioned back to an asphalt track. While the track is predominantly asphalt today, a section of the main straightaway at the start-finish line retains a strip of the original bricks.
This preserved brick section is a significant tradition, as the winning driver and their team kiss these bricks to honor the track’s history after crossing the finish line.
“Back Home Again in Indiana” may not be the official state anthem, but its immense popularity has led many to consider it as such. This song has been a cherished tradition at the Indy 500 for 75 years, with its first performance dating back to 1946 by James Melton.
Melton’s rendition was a tribute to soldiers returning home after World War II, adding a layer of patriotic sentiment to the race.
Following their victory, Indy 500 winners traditionally douse themselves with a bottle of milk. This unique custom originated in 1936 when winner Louis Meyer was presented with a bottle of buttermilk after the race.
A dairy industry executive championed the idea of making this a yearly ritual, but it didn’t gain consistent traction until after the Indy 500 resumed following its hiatus during World War II in 1946.
Currently, two Indiana dairy farmers are present in Winner’s Circle each year. One farmer hands the ice-cold milk to the winning driver, while the other provides bottles of milk to the winning chief mechanic and team owner.
Prior to the race, each driver has the opportunity to specify their milk preference, choosing between whole, 2 percent, or skim milk.
Similar to the celebratory milk bath, winners also participate in the tradition of kissing the bricks. After the race concludes, winning drivers and their teams kneel on the start-finish line to kiss the exposed 3-foot wide, century-old strip of original brick paving.
This tradition debuted 30 years ago in 1996 when crew chief Todd Parrott and driver Dale Jarrett shared a kiss of the bricks after their victory. Ricky Rudd followed suit in 1997, and the practice has since become a beloved and enduring custom.
The Indy 500 is far more than just a race; it’s a comprehensive communal experience, enriched by a variety of festivities and musical performances. Grammy-winner Jordin Sparks is scheduled to perform the national anthem prior to Sunday’s race.
Jim Cornelison will also perform the classic song “Back Home Again in Indiana.”
In addition to the Friday night concerts featuring Switchfoot and Counting Crows, Sunday will host performances at the Snake Pit, with the renowned DJ Zedd headlining the lineup.
The Snake Pit is an all-day concert event held within the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on race day. Grammy-award winning DJ Zedd will lead the musical acts.
Crankdat, Wooli, it’s murph, and Wax Motif are also set to perform at the concert on race day during the 110th Indy 500.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti will have the honor of driving the pace car, a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. Actor Brendan Fraser will serve as the honorary starter, waving the green flag to officially begin the race.
WNBA and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has been named the grand marshal for this year’s event, adding another prominent figure to the race’s celebrated roster.
