It is that time of year again: The NTT IndyCar Series prepares for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing as teams enter the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Thirty-three cars are entered to have a shot at kissing the bricks at one of the most prestigious races in the world. Barring any entry list changes, there will be no bumping in this year’s Indy 500 qualifying, as 33 cars will make the race.
Tony Kanaan will seek to win his second Indy 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 1 entry. Juan Pablo Montoya is yearning to earn his third career victory at the famous track, this time in the No. 6 Team Penske entry. Helio Castronoves will seek a record-setting fifth victory in the race driving for Meyer Shank Racing in the No. 06 entry.
Seven rookies will seek the grace the yard of bricks in their first attempt. They include: Kyle Kirkwood, driving the No. 14 for AJ Foyt Enterprises; David Malukas for Dale Coyne Racing with HMD in the No. 18; Romain Grosjean in the No. 28 for Andretti Autosport; Devlin DeFrancesco driving the No. 29 for Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport; Christian Lundgaard in the No. 30 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing entry; Jimmie Johnson, making his first Indy 500 start in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 48; and Callum Ilott with Juncos Hollinger Racing in the No. 77.
Both Andretti and CGR will field five entries in the event.
Practice begins at IMS on May 17-20 and concludes with a session on May 23. Qualifying is set for May 21-22.
The Indy 500 is scheduled to take place on May 29, with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. ET on NBC. Drivers will take the green starting at 12:45 p.m. ET.
Entering his fifth year with Frontstretch, Luken Glover is the author of The Underdog House, shedding light on the motivation and performance of NASCAR's dark horse teams as they strive to fight to the top. Additionally, Glover reports for the site at various events, and he contributes in the video editing department.
A 2023 graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Glover is a middle school math and PE teacher, as well as a basketball coach. He is passionate about serving in his church, playing/coaching a wide variety of sports, and researching motorsports history.