The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 officially commences today, Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With a sold-out crowd and a 12:45 p.m. ET green flag drop, the event features pole-sitter Alex Palou attempting a historic back-to-back victory in the world’s largest single-day sporting event.
Alex Palou’s Pursuit of Back-to-Back History
As the field of 33 cars prepares to navigate the 2.5-mile oval, all eyes are on Alex Palou. The Spanish driver, who solidified his status as a dominant force in the IndyCar Series with three consecutive titles and 11 wins across his last 23 starts, finds himself on the precipice of elite status. A win today would mark his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 triumph, making him only the seventh driver in the history of the race to achieve such a feat.
Palou’s path to the winner’s circle is far from guaranteed, given the high-stakes pressure and a starting grid packed with hungry competitors. Among them is Pato O’Ward, a two-time runner-up who is campaigning to become the first Mexican driver to claim the prestigious title. Simultaneously, Alexander Rossi, the 2016 race winner, begins the day in the second position—a remarkable turnaround considering he underwent surgery just days ago to address injuries to his right ankle and the middle finger on his left hand following a significant crash.
Race Day Logistics and Broadcast Details
The scale of the event remains immense, with estimated attendance reaching 350,000 people when accounting for both the 275,000 reserved seats and the infield crowd. Due to the sellout, officials have lifted the local television blackout, allowing fans in the Indianapolis area to watch the broadcast live.
For those viewing from home, the live television coverage on FOX begins at 10 a.m. ET. The broadcast team features play-by-play announcer Will Buxton alongside analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell. Streaming options are available through INDYCAR LIVE, Fox Sports, and Fubo, while radio enthusiasts can tune into the IndyCar Radio Network or SiriusXM Channel 218.
Pomp, Circumstance, and Tributes at the Brickyard
The atmosphere at the track is a blend of celebration and solemn remembrance. The day’s festivities, which began with gates opening at 6 a.m., included a concert headlined by DJ Zedd and a series of traditional laps, ranging from historic car displays to military appreciation. The ceremony features high-profile participants, including Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti, who serves as the pace car driver, and WNBA star Caitlin Clark, who is slated to deliver the traditional command to the drivers.
This year’s race carries a heavy heart following the death of two-time Brickyard 400 winner Kyle Busch earlier this week at age 41. In a gesture of respect, Romain Grosjean, driving the No. 18 car for Dale Coyne Racing, has updated his car’s font to mirror the one Busch utilized during his 14-year tenure in NASCAR’s No. 18 entry. Additionally, race officials have scheduled a tribute for Lap 18, where the scoring pylon will be illuminated in honor of the late driver.
The Timeline of the 110th Indianapolis 500
“The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
- 12:24 p.m.: National anthem performed by Jordin Sparks.
- 12:29 p.m.: Drivers instructed to their cars.
- 12:36 p.m.: “Back Home Again in Indiana,” performed by Jim Cornelison.
- 12:38 p.m.: Command to start engines issued by Roger Penske.
- 12:45 p.m.: Green flag drops for the 110th Indianapolis 500.
As the roar of the engines fills the air, the focus shifts entirely to the 200-lap test of endurance on the 2.5-mile oval. While the technical dominance of Palou remains the primary storyline, the unpredictable nature of the Indy 500—compounded by the potential for shifting weather conditions—ensures that the outcome remains uncertain until the final checkered flag.
Visuals from the track confirm the intensity of the scene, with fighter jets and Black Hawk helicopters performing flyovers as part of the pre-race pageantry. With the starting grid set and the crowd in place, the event is positioned to once again define the pinnacle of open-wheel racing in the United States.
