Dixon advances to Fast 12, McLaughlin starts 500 from 26th

Scott Dixon will go for pole in tomorrow’s Indy 500 Fast 12, while fellow countryman Scott McLaughlin qualified a disappointing 26th for the great race.

Grid positions 13 through to last were determined in this morning’s session. The fastest 12 runners have a separate session tomorrow.

Dixon set the tenth quickest lap in qualifying as Chip Ganassi Racing flexed its muscles and had all five cars make it into the shootout.

In saying that, it was rival engine supplier Chevy who dominated the top three positions.

Provisional polesitter Rinus Veekay clocked an average speed of 233.655 mph in his four qualifying laps, comfortably giving him the top spot of the day.

Veekay’s speed is the third-fastest qualifying run in the history of the 500.

“It shows we have a good car and confidence for tomorrow,” Veekay said. “We can definitely challenge for pole.”

Will Power is Penske’s sole hope for pole, qualifying 11th fastest.

Power’s teammates Josef Newgarden and McLaughlin start 14th and 26th after a gamble for the pair didn’t pay off.

Both Newgarden and McLaughlin were sent on second runs to try and crack into the top 12. However, McLaughlin went slower than his first run (which gets withdrawn), and Newgarden’s attempt was stopped because of lightning in the area.

“Pretty bummed,” McLaughlin said. “Took a punt at the end…didn’t work.”

Starting one place ahead of McLaughlin is last week’s Indy Grand Prix winner Colton Herta.

Herta’s Honda engine seemingly shut itself off during his first run. The Andretti Autosport team managed to swap motors and give Herta one last chance, but it was only good enough for 25th.