IndyCar: Dixon tops final practice on Indy 500 pole day

Scott Dixon is gunning for his fifth career Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge pole — just one behind the event record of six set by Rick Mears — after leading practice for the Fast 12 qualifiers this afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and 2008 “500” winner Dixon was fastest in the 90-minute session at 234.042 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Fast 12 Qualifying starts at 4 p.m. (ET), whittling the field to the Firestone Fast Six drivers who will compete for the coveted NTT P1 Award and its $100,000 prize starting at 5:10 p.m. NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network will provide live coverage of both sessions starting at 4 p.m.

Three-time Indy 500 pole winner Ed Carpenter was second fastest today at 233.624 in the No. 33 Alzamend Neuro Chevrolet, followed by teammate Rinus VeeKay — fastest in the first round of qualifying Saturday — at 233.597 in the No. 21 BitCoin Racing Team with BitNile Chevrolet.

Two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato was fourth at 233.441 in the No. 51 Nurtec ODT Honda, with Indy 500 rookie and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson fifth at 233.440 in the No. 48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Practice Results