Kyle Larson secured a spot in the 2024 Indianapolis 500 during Friday's qualifying session, but the remaining top 12 positions and the final three entries will be decided over the weekend.
Kyle Larson has punched his ticket to the 2024 Indianapolis 500 after a successful qualifying run on Friday. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will compete in the iconic race for the first time, driving for Arrow McLaren SP.
Larson's qualifying effort was part of a busy opening day for the annual Indy 500 Time Trials. Positions 13-30 were determined based on Friday's speeds, with the top 12 spots and positions 31-33 to be decided on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Among those who secured spots in the top 30 were reigning Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson, three-time Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti, and former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean. However, several notable drivers, including former IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden and Ed Carpenter, will have to qualify on Saturday or Sunday.
After Friday's session, positions 13-30 were held by Santino Ferrucci, Tatiana Calderon, Kyle Kirkwood, Jimmie Johnson, Simon Pagenaud, JR Hildebrand, Callum Ilott, Devlin DeFrancesco, Jack Harvey, Scott McLaughlin, Conor Daly, and Romain Grosjean.
Saturday's qualifying session will determine the eight fastest drivers who have not yet secured a spot in the top 12. These drivers will compete for positions 5-12 on the starting grid.
Finally, Sunday's Last Row Shootout will determine the final three entries for the Indianapolis 500. The 33rd and final starting spot will be awarded to the fastest driver of those who have not yet qualified.
The overall field of 33 drivers will be set by the end of Sunday's qualifying sessions. The 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to take place on May 28, 2024.
Here is the current qualifying order after Friday's session:
1. Tony Kanaan
2. Helio Castroneves
3. Ryan Hunter-Reay
4. Kyle Larson
5. Alexander Rossi
6. Will Power
7. Pato O'Ward
8. Takuma Sato
9. Marcus Ericsson
10. Dario Franchitti
11. Josef Newgarden
12. Scott Dixon
13. Santino Ferrucci
14. Tatiana Calderon
15. Kyle Kirkwood
16. Jimmie Johnson
17. Simon Pagenaud
18. JR Hildebrand
19. Callum Ilott
20. Devlin DeFrancesco
21. Jack Harvey
22. Scott McLaughlin
23. Conor Daly
24. Romain Grosjean
25. Christian Lundgaard
26. David Malukas
27. Charlie Kimball
28. Santino Ferrucci
29. Sage Karam
30. Dalton Kellett
