Arie Luyendyk holds the Indianapolis Motor Speedway one-lap qualifying record of 237.498 mph, set during the 1996 Indianapolis 500 time trials. He recorded the speed on the fourth and final lap of his qualifying run on May 12, 1996.
Luyendyk’s four-lap average was also extraordinary: 236.986 mph over the 10-mile qualifying distance. Although he was the fastest qualifier, a qualifying-order rule placed him 21st in the starting lineup because he qualified on the second day of time trials.
The 237.498-mph figure is distinct from Luyendyk’s even faster 239.260-mph practice lap, set during “Fast Friday” before qualifying. That practice speed is generally described as an unofficial one-lap track record, while the 237.498-mph mark came in official time trials.
Another common mix-up involves Scott Brayton, who won the 1996 pole position after Luyendyk’s first qualifying effort was disqualified. Brayton is not the driver associated with the 237.498-mph record.