Rinus VeeKay impressively topped a hugely disrupted Day 1 Qualifying session at Indianapolis setting the third fastest 4-lap average speed recorded in Indy 500 history.

Pato O'Ward set the second quickest time for Arrow McLaren SP ahead of his teammate Felix Rosenqvist in P3.

Jimmie Johnson performed admirably on his Indy 500 Qualifying debut slotting into P6 and comfortably into the Fast 12.

Colton Herta and Scott McLaughlin suffered an arduous session and will line up in P25 and P26 for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500.

O’Ward kicked off qualifying and set a very impressive average speed of 233.037mph over the four laps.

The Mexican’s effort was quickly beaten by the second runner of the day VeeKay who set a 233.655 four-lap average during his third visit to the Indy 500.

Veekay spoke post qualifying to selected media including MotorLat about his astonishing four-lap average speed run and what it means to him: “It felt pretty fast, yes, but it was definitely -- I was very pleased with that.

“Also very cool stat to hear. It's cool to have two Dutch guys in the top three in history, so it's cool that I can be part of that.”

O’Ward ended Day 1 of Qualifying as the quickest McLaren driver and the 23-year-old is targeting a front row start for the Indy 500: “Tomorrow is all about who can get the quickest two times, as we’ve got to make it into the Fast Six and then battle for the front row.

“I’m excited to see what we can accomplish, we’re running really well in our car and the No. 7 car is also really strong.

Callum Ilott struggled slightly on his initial run and could only manage a 230.212 average speed, he eventually qualified in P19 ahead of Alexander Rossi.

The wind continued to gust at IMS, Scott McLaughlin set a 231.543mph average speed which was just good enough for the Fast 12 in P11 ahead of Santino Ferrucci and Alexander Rossi.

McLaughlin decided to withdraw his earlier effort after the rain delay, a gamble that backfired hugely as he went into P26 whereas his earlier effort would’ve left him in P15.

Japanese driver Takuma Sato had his time invalidated for impeding Marco Andretti, a cruel blow for the two-time Indy 500 winner.

Ilott became the first driver to requalify in his Juncos Hollinger Racing car as the track continued to cool at Indianapolis.

He improved fractionally driving to a 230.961mph to go into P20 ahead of Graham Rahal and Devlin De Francesco.

Sato finally set a valid run and went into twelfth place and subsequently knocked his Dale Coyne Racing teammate out of the Fast 12.

The ex-F1 driver was ultra committed on his four-lap run touching the wall at Turn 2 but kept the throttle planted.

Colton Herta eventually got back out on track after his earlier misfire but could only muster a lowly P25 for Andretti Autosport.

After a lengthy rain delay Qualifying resumed and Sage Karam was the first to attack the 2.5 mile oval setting a 230.464mph average speed to go into P23 for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

A second delay soon occurred due to lightning which ended the days running early. Day 2 will begin with the Fast 12 before Qualifying concludes with the all-important Fast 6.