Indy 500 qualifying results: Pole, starting lineup for 2022 race at Indianapolis

For the second year in a row and the fifth time in his career, Scott Dixon will be on the pole for the Indianapolis 500.

Dixon topped his impressive 2021 performance Sunday, clocking the second-best four-lap average in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history at 234.046 mph.

“I knew the pole was guaranteed for our team but I wanted it,” Dixon said, per the Indy Star. “It doesn’t guarantee anything but it’s a huge privilege to sit on the pole. I knew we had a high (qualifying run) in the car. It’s just such a fine line of being comfortable and nice to drive and completely taking off.”

Dixon, who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2008, also set the fastest time by a pole winner.

MORE: Indy 500 winners: A complete list of all-time race champions, records, most wins

“Obviously it doesn’t mean nothing come next Sunday, apart from starting from the right spot, we haven’t have a good record of keeping it there,” he said, per Motorsport.com. “Always some unfinished business here, it definitely can be cruel here.” 

The Sporting News breaks down what you need to know about Indy 500 qualifying: 

Who won the pole for the Indy 500?

Scott Dixon won the pole for the 2022 Indy 500 for the second year in a row. He dominated his competition with an average lap time of 234.046 mph, marking his fifth pole win, second all-time behind Rick Mears (six).

Dixon outpaced his teammate Alex Palou by 0.5 mph. Dixon’s speed dropped on each lap, but it was negligible, and his slowest lap of 233.726 was better than nearly every other driver’s best. The top three of Dixon, Palou, and Rinus VeeKay comprise the fastest front row ever at the Indy 500.

For Dixon, the task at hand is now to keep his pole position throughout the race. The Australian known as “The Iceman” is looking to win for the first time since 2008.

Defending champion Helio Castroneves, meanwhile, is looking for his record-setting fifth win at IMS. 

It will be a tall order for Dixon, but he’s certainly on the right track.

Indy 500 qualifying results, starting lineup

This year featured a new format for qualifying, with two Sunday sessions determining pole position. Drivers who finished out of the top 12 on Saturday had their positions locked in.

Even in the new format, Dixon stood above the fray.

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