What time will the Indy 500 start? For racing fans across the U.S., the 109th Indianapolis 500, set for Sunday, May 25, 2025, kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, promising a thrilling Memorial Day weekend.
Known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” this IndyCar event draws millions to watch 33 drivers speed around the 2.5-mile oval.
Whether you’re in New York, California, or Hawaii, we’ve got the start times for every U.S. time zone, plus the qualifying schedule for May 17–18, so you can plan to catch every heart-pounding moment…
2025 Indianapolis 500 Start Time Across U.S. Time Zones
The 109th Indianapolis 500, presented by Gainbridge, is set to begin with the green flag at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. To help fans across the United States plan their race day, below are the start times adjusted for each major U.S. time zone:
- Eastern Time (ET): 12:45 p.m. (Indianapolis local time)
- Central Time (CT): 11:45 a.m.
- Mountain Time (MT): 10:45 a.m.
- Pacific Time (PT): 9:45 a.m.
- Alaska Time (AKT): 8:45 a.m.
- Hawaii Time (HT): 6:45 a.m.
The race, expected to last approximately 2-3 hours depending on weather and caution flags, will be broadcast live on FOX, with pre-race coverage starting at 10:00 a.m. ET. Fans can also stream the event via the FOX Sports app, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, or local FOX stations with an antenna in good reception areas.
Qualifying Schedule for the 2025 Indianapolis 500
Qualifying for the Indy 500 is a thrilling two-day event that determines the 33-car starting grid, with drivers pushing their cars to the limit over four-lap runs on the 2.5-mile oval. Held on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, 2025, the qualifying sessions are critical for securing pole position and locking in the field. Below is the detailed schedule, with times listed in Eastern Time (ET) and corresponding times for other U.S. time zones.
Note that inclement weather may prompt changes, so check official sources like IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com for updates.
Saturday, May 17, 2025 – Qualifying Day 1
- Practice (Full Field): 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET
- CT: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. | MT: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. | PT: 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. | AKT: 4:30 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. | HT: 2:30 a.m. – 3:30 a.m.
- Broadcast: FS2
- Qualifying (All Entries): 11:00 a.m. – 5:50 p.m. ET
- CT: 10:00 a.m. – 4:50 p.m. | MT: 9:00 a.m. – 3:50 p.m. | PT: 8:00 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. | AKT: 7:00 a.m. – 1:50 p.m. | HT: 5:00 a.m. – 11:50 p.m. (May 16)
- Broadcast: FS1 (11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.), FS2 (1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.), FOX (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
- Details: All 34 entered cars attempt four-lap runs to set their average speed. The top 12 advance to the Top 12 Qualifying on Sunday, positions 13-30 are locked in, and the bottom four (31-34) move to the Last Chance Qualifying on Sunday. Unlimited attempts are permitted until 5:50 p.m., time permitting.
Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Qualifying Day 2
- Practice (Top 12): 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
- CT: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | MT: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | PT: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | AKT: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | HT: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- Broadcast: FS2
- Practice (Last Chance Qualifiers): 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
- CT: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | MT: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | PT: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | AKT: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | HT: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Broadcast: FS2
- Top 12 Qualifying: 4:05 p.m. – 5:05 p.m. ET
- CT: 3:05 p.m. – 4:05 p.m. | MT: 2:05 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. | PT: 1:05 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. | AKT: 12:05 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. | HT: 10:05 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
- Broadcast: FOX
- Details: The top 12 drivers from Saturday compete for positions 7-12, with the top six advancing to the Firestone Fast Six.
- Last Chance Qualifying: 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. ET
- CT: 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | MT: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | PT: 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | AKT: 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | HT: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Broadcast: FOX
- Details: The four slowest drivers from Saturday compete for the final three spots (31-33) in the field; one driver fails to qualify.
- Firestone Fast Six: 6:25 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET
- CT: 5:25 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | MT: 4:25 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | PT: 3:25 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | AKT: 2:25 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | HT: 12:25 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Broadcast: FOX
- Details: The top six drivers compete for the pole position and the front row, with the fastest driver earning the coveted P1 Award and bonus points.
Additional Notes for Fans
- Tickets: Qualifying tickets for May 17-18 are $30, with practice tickets for May 13-16 and May 19 at $20. Race day general admission starts at $55, reserved seats at $80. Purchase tickets at IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com.
- Broadcast and Streaming: Qualifying sessions are covered on FS1, FS2, and FOX, with streaming available on the FOX Sports app, IndyCar Live, and SiriusXM Channel 218 (IndyCar Nation).
- Key Storylines: Watch for Josef Newgarden aiming for a historic three-peat, Hélio Castroneves chasing a record fifth win, and Kyle Larson attempting “The Double” with the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
- Weather Considerations: The schedule is weather-dependent, as seen in past years when rain delayed events. Check IndyCar.com for real-time updates.
The 109th Indianapolis 500 promises an unforgettable weekend of high-speed drama, from the nail-biting qualifying rounds to the iconic race itself. With start times tailored for every U.S. time zone and a clear qualifying schedule, fans can plan to catch every moment, whether at the track or from home. Tune in to FOX on May 25 at 10:00 a.m. ET for pre-race festivities, and be ready for the green flag at 12:45 p.m. ET. Who will kiss the bricks and drink the milk in 2025? Share your predictions and join the conversation as we celebrate this iconic event.
