How qualifying will work at the Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 qualifying format is a unique, agonizing two-day configuration that sets the field for one of motorsport's most famous races.

This year, ahead of the 108th running of the Indy 500, 34 entrants will attempt to qualify for the 33-car field. This means Last Chance Qualifying will decide the final row of the grid and which unlucky car gets bumped out of the event.

Each driver is given a single four-lap run to set an average speed, the order of which is set during a random draw. After all 34 cars have completed their four-lap run, they can choose from two lanes in the pits to have another attempt on the circuit.

Cars in Lane 1 have priority over competitors in Lane 2 when waiting to go onto the track. Lining up in the first lane means your average speed from the original run is withdrawn.

By contrast, the second lane is for cars in a more comfortable situation. They have already qualified for the race and aren't risking removing their first effort.

As time elapses on Day 1 of qualifying, positions 13-30 will be locked in, and those cars won't compete on the second day of running. Day 2 of action at the Brickyard focuses on setting positions 1-12 on the grid and the back row, which consists of places 31-33. 

The Firestone Fast Six sets the first two rows of the grid and the top six positions, including the all-important pole position.

The Top 12 Shootout also runs, deciding the next two rows from seventh place to P12. Last Chance Qualifying remains tense every year, as one of a quartet suffers the dejection of failing to make the race.

Even two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso was forced to endure the embarrassment of getting eliminated in 2019 with McLaren. This was a major blow in his quest to win the triple crown: the Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Spaniard was beaten by Juncos Racing's Kyle Kaiser, who crashed 71 laps into the race.

"We didn’t do the job," Alonso said after being bumped out of the Indy 500. "We were not quick enough. Simple. The others, they did better. We congratulate them. But at the same time, I think McLaren is the only team in motorsport that won the Indy 500, won the Le Mans 24 Hours, and won the Formula 1 championship. You can only do that if you try."

The Indy 500's qualifying format remains unique in motorsport and provides unmatched tension before the race itself.