Scott McLaughlin set a new all-time Indianapolis 500 qualifying speed record as he headed a Penske front-row lockout. After advancing through to the Fast 6, pole was to be decided between McLaughlin, Penske team-mates Josef Newgarden and Will Power, McLaren pair Alexander Rossi and Kyle Larson and A.J Foyt's Santino Ferrucci. McLaughlin's #3 was the final of the six to run, needing to beat Power's 233.917 to grab pole, as he pumped in a 234.220mph four-lap average. That beats the outright speed record of 234.217mph from Alex Palou in 2023. It is the first Penske front-row lockout with Power and Newgarden joining their team-mate since 1988 when Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan and Al Unser Sr took 1-2-3 for The Captain. Of the trio, only McLaughlin has not won the 500, with Power doing so in 2018 and Newgarden being the defending race-winner. NASCAR ace Kyle Larson will start fifth as he completes Double Duty with the Cup Series' Coke 600 next Sunday, as 2022 Indy winner Marcus Ericsson squeaked in. Ericsson has struggled throughout practice, and was one of four cars at risk of being bumped from the field, along with Katherine Legge, Graham Rahal and Nolan Siegel. With his final run, Ericsson moved to 32nd place, ensuring his place as Rahal was demoted to the bubble with Siegel on the outside. The rookie crashed on his second lap, meaning he was bumped from the 33 car field. The full 2024 Indianapolis 500 qualifying results are available below!
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