Robert Shwartzman entered the Indy 500 qualifying weekend on the back foot. With both himself and his team, PREMA, having no previous experience on an oval, Shwartzman was predicted to be one of four drivers battling it out for the last spot on the grid.
In a sensational turn of events, the rookie outperformed the entirety of the grid and took a historic pole position at the Speedway.
PREMA has had a lacklustre start to its debut season in IndyCar with neither driver having any standout results. The highest either driver had finished a race was in 18th.
Disaster Strikes
The rookie team had a number of assorted setbacks in the opening five races of the season. This included radio and mechanical issues, most notably in Thermal Club. Problems further worsened when the Italian outfit arrived at the Speedway on the first day of Practice on Tuesday. It was revealed that the team had somehow not prepared the car and thus, their running was delayed.
In the open test back in April, PREMA ran its set of road course cars, opting to work on its Indy 500 contenders longer. When the cars took to the track for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, it looked bleak.
PREMA was still not ready to hit the track when Practice began. This was despite a three-hour rain delay that provided teams with extra time to prepare.
Shwartzman passed the technical inspection with two hours of the session remaining. But he was only able to complete six laps before he was called back in. Ilott meanwhile, was able to clock in a few more laps, totalling 16. But the pair rounded out the first day of practice at the bottom of the speed chart.
The second day of Practice looked slightly more positive. Shwartzman completed 84 laps, finding additional pace to complete the session in 28th. The following day, Shwartzman finished the session in 32nd.
Positive Improvements
But when Fast Friday approached and the cars were given extra speed, Shwartzman’s woes from the start of the week started to evaporate as the Russian-Israeli began to shine.
He set his own fastest average of 231 mph. He finished 13th, a positive result which Shwartzman continued to build on the following day.
Despite the surprise increase in speed, Robert Shwartzman and the PREMA team entered Saturday’s qualifying with little to no expectations. The goal was simply to secure a spot in the 33-car field. But what happened next marked the beginning of a history-making weekend.
Shwartzman took to the daunting 2.5-mile track for his first and only attempt of the day, entering the 233’s at the beginning of his four-laps. He crossed the line at the end with a 232.584 mph average.
The driver of the No.83 Chevy placed himself just behind the likes of Scott Dixon and Pato O’Ward. It was a monumental drive, securing Shwartzman a spot in the fast 12 – his first at the Speedway and of the season.
“I honestly did not expect it to go that well. We were gradually improving the car step by step. After such a good run this morning, I thought, ‘Okay, this car is really fast’,” Shwartzman said after qualifying
“Obviously was really tricky. It’s the toughest I think qualifying of my career. Four laps consecutive, focus, one slight mistake and you’re done. Yeah, definitely it was a big challenge for me.”
“I’m happy that I managed to complete all four laps. We’re going to top 12. I think it’s also a good thing it’s the first one of the team. We finally got a top 12, it’s here in Indy. Quite a legendary moment for us. Pretty happy.”
The drive was a statement to the team who had worked tirelessly throughout the week to prepare an Indy 500 qualifier.
The effort was even more impressive as PREMA had no technical help from an experienced IndyCar team, which is a rare thing for a new team in IndyCar.
Robert Shwartzman does the Impossible
With all three Penske’s out of contention in the Fast 12, Shwartzman had three less drivers to beat to enter the Fast 6.
When it was the PREMA driver’s turn, he went third fastest with an average of 232.008 mph, securing his spot in the fight for pole.
Takumo Sato, who was the first out on track, set the benchmark with a 232.478. Sato remained on the provisional pole. Alex Palou was unable to break into the 232’s and only averaged a 231.378. Shwartzman’s attempt was fourth in the line and his first lap entered the 233’s, matching Sato’s time.
He consistently stayed in the high 232’s before crossing the line with a provisional pole average of 232.790.
The final two drivers that took to the track couldn’t match the rookie’s time. This meant that the PREMA driver became the first rookie in over 40 years to secure a pole on their first attempt at the Speedway.
An incredible turn of events saw Shwartzman’s name written in the history books at the world’s greatest racing event.
Shwartzman’s Thoughts
“I still can’t believe it,” Shwartzman said following the confirmation that he would be on pole the following weekend.
“It’s just a dream.”
“I was just thinking in my dreams fantasizing, ‘How will it feel to take pole position in Indy 500? How is the vibe?’”
“Then I was, like, ‘Yeah, Robert, get back to reality. You have a new car, new team, you are a rookie. How can you expect to be in this position? It’s just in your dreams.’”
Robert Shwartzman and PREMA arrived unprepared and on the back foot, but by Sunday, they had defied the odds and etched their names into the Indianapolis history books. With the performance, they sent a strong message to the paddock; the new guys on the block are here to challenge.
Photo Credit: Aaron Skillman
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