INDIANAPOLIS — Benjamin Pedersen qualified for last Sunday’s 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 as the second fastest rookie ever (232.671 mph). It was a remarkable qualifying weekend out of him as the rookie driver made the Fast 12 Shootout. He’d start 11th.

While he was collected in a late race crash on Lap 196, Pedersen was not only the top qualifying rookie, but the top finishing one too (21st place). That made him the latest Rookie of the Year for the race.

Pedersen was the best qualifying rookie since Fernando Alonso in 2017. A year ago, Jimmie Johnson started 12th and finished 28th. Pedersen topped him in both categories this time around.

This is the third Chevrolet driver in the last four years to win the award.