VeeKay historically fast during first qualifying Indy 500

After Miami, the focus in the United States on will be on the Indy 500. The legendary race is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, but qualifying has already begun this weekend.

Dutchman Rinus 'VeeKay' van Kalmthout was by far the fastest during Saturday's hour-long session. The Ed Carpenter Racing driver took advantage of perfect weather conditions during his run to ultimately set the third-fastest qualifying run ever at Indy. Veekay drove an opening lap of 234.702 miles per hour and after four laps averaged 233.655 miles per hour.

Behind Veekay, Patricio O' Ward (233.037) and Felix Rosenqvist (232.775) finished second and third. Reigning champion Alex Palou finished fourth. The top twelve drivers will return to action this Sunday in the Fast 12, where they will compete for pole for next week's Indy 500.

VeeKay was full of elation after his first day. "To be on P1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is very special, but I have to keep my focus on qualifying," he said in a press release. "We're in the Fast twelve, but the starting positions won't be clear until tomorrow. There are two more sessions to go and I have to be faultless in them. If I am, I can compete for the pole. A place on the front row of the grid should be possible."