Indy 500 – Marco Andretti dominates qualifying, Pagenaud out of Fast 9

Marco Andretti (Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian – Honda) was the fastest in qualifyingIndy 500 with its four best laps completed at 371,758 km/h average, on a day where Andretti Autosport made an impression by setting the four best times.

Already the fastest during Fast Friday, Michael's son beat Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Red, and James Hinchliffe, the latter involved only in a partial program this season.

The driver of the No. 98, like his teammates, with the exception of Colton Herta (10th), will try to take pole position on Sunday during Fast 9, which concerns the nine fastest in qualifying. “My car is perfect, and I hope to achieve the same thing tomorrow” said the 33-year-old American.

In a top 10 crushed by Honda, it was a 19-year-old rookie, Rinus Veekay (Ed Carpenter Racing), sixth, who saved Chevrolet's honor. The championship leader, Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing – Honda), set the 5th fastest time, while his runner-up, simon pagenaud (Team Penske), had to settle for 25th time.

Poleman and winner last year, the Frenchman, who has never been among the fastest since the start of testing, will therefore not be affected by Fast 9, like his teammates from Team Penske (Newgarden 13th, Power 21st, Castroneves 28th). An unusual speed deficit for the Mooresville team, which will try to recover during the race.

Fernando Alonso (McLaren SP – Chevrolet) won't be fighting for pole either. Twenty-sixth in the session, the Spaniard quickly gave up trying to improve his time, and is content to be able to line up at the start of Indy500, on Sunday August 23, after his elimination last year.

Pole position will be decided on Sunday between 19:15 p.m. and 20:15 p.m.