Rookie Shwartzman rocks Speedway with stunning Indy 500 pole!

©IndyCar/KarlZemlin

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In a Hollywood-script-worthy twist at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, rookie Robert Shwartzman and rookie team Prema Racing defied all odds – and logic – to take pole position for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The incredible achievement – one of the wildest upsets in Indy 500 history – was not just surprising. It was downright surreal!

Shwartzman left the Speedway gobsmacked on Sunday afternoon with a four-lap average of 232.790 mph, outpacing two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.

Earlier in the week, Prema was floundering at the bottom of the timing sheets as they scrambled to prep their cars. Yet, Shwartzman and his crew, guided by savvy engineers like ex-Penske staffer Eric Leichtle, turned it around.

By Fast Friday, they were 13th, and on qualifying day, they stunned the field. The Italian outfit’s IndyCar debut on an oval was supposed to be a steep learning curve – not a launchpad to glory.

©IndyCar

"No, honestly I can't believe it," the former Ferrari F1 reserve driver told IndyCar on FOX. "I was closing my eyes like this is a dream, it can't be true.

“Honestly, I don't know what even to say. The car felt amazing, like honestly, I can't thank Prema and Chevy (enough). They did such a good job. It's unbelievable.

“Coming here for my first oval race, I would never expect myself to be in this position. It's unbelievable. Big thanks to everybody."

A Rookie’s Rocket Ride to Pole

Shwartzman’s blistering lap not only beat out a field packed with Indy veterans – it made history. He’s now the first Israeli driver ever to take pole at the Indy 500, and the first rookie to do so in 42 years. Let that sink in.

The former Ferrari reserve driver from Tel Aviv led a sensational Fast 6 shootout, besting two-time Sato and O'Ward, who will start second and third, respectively.

©IndyCar/JohnCote

Meanwhile, heavyweights Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist, and Alex Palou fill out Row 2 – evidence of just how seismic this upset truly is.

Shwartzman’s rise came as chaos reigned elsewhere. Team Penske’s powerhouse trio – Scott McLaughlin, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden – were effectively knocked out of pole contention after technical issues and a scary airborne crash for McLaughlin in morning practice.

Yet while the giants stumbled, the underdog soared.

From last in early practice to first on the grid, Shwartzman’s pole lap was more than just fast – it was fearless. The kind of moment Indy dreams are made of. And now, with the eyes of the motorsport world watching, he’ll lead the field to green on the biggest stage of them all.

For Robert Shwartzman and Prema Racing, this isn’t just a pole position – it’s an arrival!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.