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Indy 500 2012: Qualifying Results, Pole Positions and Time Trials Info
May 19, 2012
The 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 is just about a week away and things will get kicked off on Saturday when the best drivers the IRL has to offer will vie for the Indy 500's pole position.
The action starts at 11 a.m. ET and once every car has attempted to qualify, the top nine cars will compete for spots in the first three rows.
Update: Sunday, May 20 at 12:25 p.m. ET
Ryan Briscoe is your 2012 Indy 500 pole sitter. He won that pole by the narrowest margin in the history of the event.
His margin over James Hinchcliffe was so close it is hard to fathom. He beat him by just .0023 seconds. The Associated Press reported that a series spokesman said that time equated to a thousandth of an inch
Briscoe had a four-lap average of 226.484 mph. Briscoe drives for Roger Penske. This is the iconic owner's fifth pole in the last seven years.
The first three throw rows are now set. Here is how they shake out.
1. Briscoe, Ryan, 226.484
2. Hinchcliffe, James, 226.481
3. Hunter-Reay, Ryan, 226.240
4. Andretti, Marco, 225.456
5. Power, Will, 225.422
6. Castroneves, Helio, 225.172
7. Newgarden, Josef,224.037
8. Kanaan, Tony, 224.751
9. Viso, EJ, 224.422
Whichever car has the fastest average time in the second segment will have earned the pole. Although a pole certainly doesn't guarantee anything, since things often get jumbled as soon as the race starts, it is most definitely a prestigious honor that every driver would love to achieve.
Here is everything you need to know about Saturday's qualifying session. Check back later for full updates and analysis on the qualifying results for the Indianapolis 500.
Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind.
When: Saturday, May 19 at 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC Sports Network
Qualifying Order
1. #11 Tony Kanaan
2. #78 Simona de Silvestro
3. #14T Mike Conway
4. #38T Graham Rahal
5. #6 Katherine Legge
6. #9T Scott Dixon
7. #99 Townsend Bell
8. #9 Scott Dixon
9. #50T Dario Franchitti
10. #30T Michel Jourdain
11. #12 Will Power
12. #83 Charlie Kimball
13. #7 Sebastien Bourdais
14. #3 Helio Castroneves
15. #22T Oriol Servia
16. #41 Wade Cunningham
17. #11T Tony Kanaan
18. #20T Ed Carpenter
19. #17 Sebastian Saavedra
20. #26T Marco Andretti
21. #18 Justin Wilson
22. #28 Ryan Hunter-Reay
23. #19 James Jakes
24. #39 Bryan Clauson
25. #50 Dario Franchitti
26. #28T Ryan Hunter-Reay
27. #38 Graham Rahal
28. #67 Josef Newgarden
29. #18T Justin Wilson
30. #19T James Jakes
31. #2 Ryan Briscoe
32. #25 Ana Beatriz
33. #15T Takuma Sato
34. #64 Jean Alesi
35. #20 Ed Carpenter
36. #30 Michel Jourdain
37. #8 Rubens Barrichello
38. #4T JR Hildebrand
39. #15 Takuma Sato
40. #22 Oriol Servia
41. #99T Townsend Bell
42. #7T Sebastien Bourdais
43. #2T Ryan Briscoe
44. #5 EJ Viso
45. #12T Will Power
46. #4 JR Hildebrand
47. #98T Alex Tagliani
48. #83T Charlie Kimball
49. #41T Wade Cunningham
50. #8T Rubens Barrichello
51. #77 Simon Pagenaud
52. #27 James Hinchcliffe
53. #3T Helio Castroneves
54. #5T EJ Viso
55. #26 Marco Andretti
56. #27T James Hinchcliffe
57. #98 Alex Tagliani
58. #14 Mike Conway
59. #77T Simon Pagenaud
60. #67T Josef Newgarden
61. #21 TBA (Ed Carpenter Racing second car)
Drivers to Watch
Alex Tagliani
He surprised many by claiming the pole last year, but Alex Tagliani has to be considered one of the favorites to nab it again this time around. The Canadian driver will represent Bryan Herta Autosport in the No. 98 machine and figures to be one of the fastest cars on the track.
A crash with around 50 laps remaining last year robbed Tagliani of a good finish as he ended up 28th. Tagliani did manage to lead 20 laps though and was able to make his presence felt. Tagliani will hope to have a much better showing in 2012, however, and that starts with his qualifying run.
Dario Franchitti
There is no doubt that Dario Franchitti is one of the all-time greats in the IndyCar series as he has won four points totals and has twice won the Indianapolis 500. All of that experience and success makes Franchitti a good bet to claim the pole or to come pretty close at the very least.
The 38-year-old star may not be quite as dominant as he once was, but he is still a premier name in Indy racing and is most definitely someone worth keeping an eye on. There is a lot to be said for familiarity and Franchitti has plenty of that when it comes to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Helio Castroneves
Few drivers have ever had as much success in the Indy 500 as Helio Castroneves. The Brazilian star has won the race three times, which is something that only eight other drivers can lay claim to. He has also been dominant when it comes to qualifying for the race with four poles to his credit.
Castroneves had some struggles last season, but he has been much better in 2012 as he is second in the points standings. Castroneves has been very consistent thus far and has a hot hand, so it wouldn't be a surprise in the least to see him take the pole.
Pole Prediction
There are probably at least 15 to 20 drivers with a legitimate shot at earning the pole, so predicting one may be an exercise in futility. My pick, however, is Ryan Hunter-Reay. While he has never fared particularly well in the Indy 500 itself, he is off to the best start of his career thus far. His qualifying has been quite good as well, so he should be a factor.
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