--- title: "Running Order Set For First Day of Qualifications at Indy Motor Speedway" description: "A total of 35 drivers will compete for 33 spots available on the grid of the 2018 Indy 500 race." date: "2018-05-19" modified: "2018-05-19" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/20964/running-order-set-for-first-day-of-qualifications-at-indy-motor-speedway" categories: - "News" tags: - "Indy 500" - "Indycar Series" - "Marco Andretti" - "racing" - "Racing News" - "Robert Wickens" --- # Running Order Set For First Day of Qualifications at Indy Motor Speedway ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* A total of 35 drivers have entered IndyCar's most coveted qualifying event of the year: Qualifications Day 1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unfortunately for two of them, there are only 33 spots available for the [102nd running of the Indy 500](). As it's tradition at the Brickyard, the first day of qualifications will give all participating drivers a chance to set their fastest average speed around the iconic 2.5-mile oval. Once drivers join the track, they will get a total of two warmup laps (although [IndyCar officials]() could allow three based on track conditions), before drivers put the pedal to the medal for a total of four qualifying laps. Unlike most racing series, IndyCar uses the average speed of the four laps to determine the starting order, not lap time. ![message-editor%2F1526739678278-jgs\_2018-indianapolis-500-96919-1.jpg]() *IndyCar* ![message-editor%2F1526739688468-\_jhh905.jpg]() *IndyCar* Another characteristic sets the [Indy 500 qualifying format]() apart from others is the fact that the qualifying order is decided by a random, blind draw at the end of Fast Friday. This differs even from the traditional IndyCar format used for all other races, where the qualifying order is determined by reverse order of entrant points entering the event. At the end of the first day of qualifications (typically a Saturday), the nine fastest drivers, cleverly dubbed "The Fast Nine Shootout," will move forward to the second day of qualifications on Sunday. Contrary to common sense, it's typically [better for drivers]() to qualify later in the day so the track possesses more rubber which creates more grip; however, cooler weather typically enjoyed earlier in the day can help engines run cooler and therefore faster. Like most things at the Speedway, qualifying is nothing but a gamble. See below for the official qualifying order for Saturday's Qualifications Day 1: ![message-editor%2F1526739216226-screenshot2018-05-19at10.09.36am.png]() **IndyCar** *Stay tuned for more boots-on-the-ground coverage from The Drive from now until the 102nd running of the Indy 500 on Memorial Day Weekend.* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()