Rookie Robert Shwartzman Stuns with Historic Indy 500 Pole Win for PREMA

In a stunning upset at the Indianapolis 500, rookie driver Robert Shwartzman clinched the pole position on Sunday, marking a historic moment for both himself and PREMA Racing. The 25-year-old, hailing from Tel Aviv and racing under the Israeli flag, became the first Israeli driver to compete in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" and the first rookie to secure the Indy 500 pole since 1983.

Shwartzman’s victory was as unexpected as it was thrilling. Driving for PREMA, a team making its IndyCar debut this season, he outshone veterans in a chaotic qualifying session. Team Penske, a powerhouse in the sport, was disqualified for illegal car modifications, leaving the door wide open. Adding to the drama, Penske’s Scott McLaughlin crashed during Sunday’s practice, further shaking up the field.

"It feels like I’m dreaming," Shwartzman said, reflecting on his oval-racing debut. "The Indy 500 is the race of the year, and to do this as a rookie is unbelievable." His journey to this moment included stints in Ferrari’s Formula 1 development program, but PREMA’s gamble on the young driver paid off spectacularly.

PREMA, an Italian outfit founded in 1983, also made history as the first debut team to land the pole since 1984. The last rookie to achieve this feat was Teo Fabi, coincidentally an Italian, tying a poetic thread to PREMA’s European roots.

As the green flag looms, Shwartzman’s pole win signals a new era for IndyCar, with a rookie daring to steal the spotlight on one of racing’s biggest stages.