Portugal Colonial - Defending champion Palou storms to Indy 500 pole

Palou, who is chasing his fourth consecutive IndyCar championship this year after winning the title in 2023, 2024 and 2025, scorched around his final four-lap run in an average speed of 232.248 mph.

The Chip Ganassi Racing star will start on the front row ahead of Alexander Rossi and David Malukas.

"Pole is huge," Palou said afterwards. "The emotion, the momentum and everything that comes with it, it's incredible, but it's totally different to the race.

"It doesn't guarantee us to having an easier race -- it guarantees us to have the best view heading into the first corner.

"We need to work hard to try and keep ourselves up there and be at the front when it matters. But the race is going to be a totally different scenario to what we saw today."

Sunday's qualifying session had been condensed after Saturday's session was washed out by torrential rain, forcing organizers to hold multiple rounds of qualifying in a single day.

Palou looked in control throughout the final session, with Ed Carpenter Racing's Rossi second quickest in a time of 231.990 mph and Penske Chevrolet's Malukas third fastest in 231.877.

Palou is bidding to make history this year by becoming the first man in IndyCar history to win four consecutive drivers championships.

He is currently leading the standings by 27 points following the first six races of the season.

L.Carrico--PC