175 - Historic Lap - Rookie Robert Shwartzman Captures the Indy 500 Pole

It is finally time for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and our resident open wheeler Conor Daly will be rolling off P11 this coming Sunday. He joins co-host Chase Holden to break down all of the action from practice week and qualifying, which saw many surprises and breath-taking crashes. No surprise of course was bigger than rookie Robert Shwartzman putting his Prema entry on the pole. But, the news that Josef Newgarden and Will Power had failed tech and were being penalized also rocked the paddock. Conor gives listeners a detailed look at how his final qualifying attempt unfolded, which originally placed him in 13th, just a few tenths away from locking into the Fast 12. He also explains how on edge the cars are this year, and the major differences between being in qualifying trim and race trim.

Pole winner Robert Shwartman joins the show to reflect on his historic feat of becoming the first rookie to capture P1 since 1983. He talks listeners through making the Fast 12 and the feeling he had laying down a perfect lap that held up for the top speed of the day. Robert explains that after the hardship he’s faced in the Formula One ranks, it was incredible to feel the support from the crowd at Indianapolis. Conor and Chase also get to know Robert, the person outside of the race car, as they discuss his interest in hip hop music and how he is an aspiring musician himself. The guys chat about Prema team members like Ryan Briscoe being an asset and how Robert’s car is feeling going into the big race on Sunday.