The lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series Indianapolis qualifying order has been released, as Round 5 of the 2025 In-Season Challenge heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. This weekend’s race, broadcast on TNT Sports, truTV, HBO Max, IMS Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, promises an intense battle at the iconic Brickyard.
Details on This Weekend’s Qualifying Structure
All 39 Cup Series drivers are set to participate in Saturday’s qualifying session, scheduled for 2:35 p.m. ET. Using a format that consists of one lap per driver and only one round, competitors will aim to secure their best possible starting position ahead of the main event. The order for qualifying groups has been established through a combined metric, factoring in each vehicle’s finish in the previous race by owner (70%) and the current owner points standing (30%).
The NASCAR Cup Series Indianapolis qualifying order is crucial, as it sets the stage for who will lead at the Brickyard and potentially gain a tactical advantage when the race begins on Sunday. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a storied history and provides an iconic backdrop for this stage of the Challenge.
Complete NASCAR Cup Series Indianapolis Qualifying Order
Below is the full qualifying order for Saturday’s session, listing drivers alongside their car numbers and metric scores based on the NASCAR-approved formula:
1. Jesse Love (#62*) – 42.51
2. Josh Bilicki (#66*) – 41.01
3. Katherine Legge (#78*) – 39.81
4. Cody Ware (#51) – 36.01
5. Noah Gragson (#54*) – 32.31
6. Carson Hocevar (#77) – 32.01
7. AJ Allmendinger (#16) – 31.61
8. Cole Custer (#41) – 30.51
9. Shane van Gisbergen (#98*) – 28.81
10. Riley Herbst (#35*) – 27.31
11. Todd Gilliland (#34*) – 27.11
12. Daniel Suárez (#99) – 26.91
13. Ross Chastain (#1) – 26.71
14. Josh Berry (#21) – 26.21
15. Erik Jones (#43) – 24.91
16. Ty Dillon (#10) – 23.01
17. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (#47) – 23.01
18. Zane Smith (#38*) – 22.61
19. William Byron (#24) – 22.31
20. Justin Haley (#7) – 21.21
21. John Hunter Nemechek (#42) – 21.02
22. Austin Dillon (#3) – 18.92
23. Ryan Preece (#60) – 17.52
24. Austin Cindric (#2) – 15.72
25. Brad Keselowski (#6) – 15.12
26. Michael McDowell (#71) – 14.52
27. Christopher Bell (#20) – 14.42
28. Joey Logano (#22) – 13.12
29. Kyle Busch (#8) – 12.52
30. Tyler Reddick (#45*) – 9.92
31. Chris Buescher (#17) – 9.32
32. Bubba Wallace (#23*) – 8.82
33. Ty Gibbs (#54) – 8.62
34. Ryan Blaney (#12) – 7.72
35. Alex Bowman (#48) – 4.82
36. Chase Elliott (#9) – 4.52
37. Kyle Larson (#5) – 4.02
38. Chase Briscoe (#19) – 3.82
39. Denny Hamlin (#11) – 1.62
What This Means for the Brickyard Race
As drivers such as Jesse Love, Josh Bilicki, and Katherine Legge start at the front of the Indianapolis qualifying order, established names like Zane Smith and Riley Herbst will be looking to advance through the grid. The implementation of the metric-based system underscores the importance of consistent performance by both drivers and owners throughout the season. The outcome of Saturday’s qualifying will have a direct impact on race day strategy, especially on a track as demanding and historic as Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The anticipation is high as the Cup Series prepares for one of its most recognized events, with all eyes on who will take the pole position and how the field order may influence the action at the Brickyard. Teams and fans alike await the next chapter of the in-season challenge, as every position in the order can play a crucial role in the championship push.
Our Reader’s Queries
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A. The series has eight episodes, each about 30 minutes long. On January 17, 2025, they announced that the show was not renewed for a second season.
