Indianapolis 500 qualifying takeaways: Alex Palou back on top

According to the Fox broadcast, Palou becomes the first defending winner of the Indianapolis 500 to win the pole the following season since four-time winner Helio Castroneves in 2010.

It was not as straightforward for Palou as it may seem, though. With Saturday's qualifying session canceled due to weather, Sunday turned into a one-day show to not only set positions 13-33, but also to lock up the top 12 positions as well and determine the pole winner in the "Fast Six."

As impressive as Palou's performance was, he was surprised considering where his No. 10 Honda was earlier in the day.

"I have no words," Palou told Fox Sports' Kevin Lee after improving from the 11th-quickest lap when all cars went out for qualifying.

With three wins already this season, Palou still looks as strong as ever as he holds a 27-point lead over Kyle Kirkwood through the first six races. The field has been put on notice once again with his incredible qualifying effort.

Josef Newgarden among past winners starting deep in the field

While Scott Dixon (11th), Takuma Sato (13th) and Castroneves (15th) are not too far down the list, you have to do a little more searching for some other prior winners of the Indianapolis 500.

2022 winner Marcus Ericsson (18th), 2018 winner Will Power (20th), 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay (23rd) and the two-time winner Newgarden (2024), whose Team Penske teammates Malukas (third) and Scott McLaughlin (ninth) qualified inside the top 10.

This comes one year after Newgarden was not allowed to qualify for the pole and was moved to the rear of the field after a technical violation. A mechanical issue followed in the race and he finished 22nd.

However, he did make his way through the field rather quickly last season, so perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel after a subpar result in qualifying.

Katherine Legge to roll off 27th in historic attempt at 'The Double'

Legge will be the sixth driver to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, a task referred to as "The Double" with a total of 1,100 miles between the two historic races.

Only John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon. Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson have previously attempted it, with Larson doing so most recently in 2024 and 2025. For Legge, who qualified 27th (229.456 mph), she is set to become the first woman to try the legendary "Double" and the oldest driver (45) to ever attempt it.

Indianapolis will be the start of a busy and historic Sunday for Legge, who will begin the day behind the wheel of the No. 11 HMD Motorsports Chevrolet with AJ Foyt Racing.