Of the 42 cars entered into this 95th running of the century old Indy 500, only 33 will qualify. That means nine cars that showed will not run the race. Determining which cars will comprise the 11 rows of three cars for the start of the race, the cars will have to qualify the weekend before the race. Then the fastest 33 cars go racing next weekend.

Last year, qualifying rules changed to a new “shoot out” format, based more or less on the qualifying format used for the IRL road course events. Initial qualifying for the positions 1-24 will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. During the final 90 minutes, the top 9 cars (rows 1—3) will advance to a special session. The "Fast Nine" cars will have their earlier times erased, and make up to two attempts each during the special session to determine who will win the pole position (pole position is the inside left position of the front row).

Cash prizes for the front row have been increased from previous years: pole position is worth $175,000, second place is $75,000, and third place gets a healthy $50,000 bonus. Participants will also be awarded INDYCAR Series points towards the championship based on their qualifying position. Points will be awarded based on a special descending scale for all starting positions, with the pole winner receiving 15 points, second place 13, and third place 12.

Saturday’s qualifying will be limited to 24 cars qualifying during the early session. Bumping is scheduled to occur once the field is filled to 24 cars. Bumping will cease at 4:30 p.m., and the special pole session will begin. The remaining 9 positions will be available on Bump Day (Sunday). Once the field is filled to 33 cars, bumping will occur with the slowest car overall in the field on the bubble, with the top nine positions secured. By some accounts, Bump Day is even more exciting than the race itself!