We've got the need for speed. Lucky for us, it's Fast Friday.

The big picture: It's qualifying weekend for the Indianapolis 500.

• Today is the final — and fastest — practice before the field of 33 is set.
• Cars get a turbocharger boost to reach the speeds they'll run during qualifying.

Vibe check: Quals are a lower-key way to get a taste of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

• You get all the speed — we're talking more than 230 miles per hour — without the race day crowd.

How it works: Don't skip this — it's different this year!

• Qualifying begins at 11am Saturday, and by 6pm spots 15-33 will be set.
• Drivers who qualified in the top 15 on Saturday will be back on track Sunday to secure their starting position.
• On Sunday, cars ranked 1-9 are automatically advanced to the Top 12, while those in 10th-15th spots will have to compete for those last three spots.
• The fastest three move on; the slowest three get spots 13-15 on race day.
• Then, the Top 12 qualifiers will advance as last year, with those finishing 7-12 claiming those spots and the fastest six advancing to the Firestone Fast Six later in the day to determine positions 1-6.

Yes, but: The forecast doesn't look great.

• Chances of rain start early tomorrow morning and continue through Sunday.

The intrigue: Defending champ Alex Palou has turned some of the fastest laps in practice so far, but he's not the only driver looking hot going into the weekend.

• Hometown hero Conor Daly won the day Wednesday with a 228 mph lap — and "we weren't even flat on that lap," Daly said.
• Two-time runner-up Pato O'Ward and 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi have also looked strong.

If you go

Interest in building data centers in Indianapolis is growing — and so is neighborhood opposition to the hulking facilities.

Why it matters: The City-County Council is part of that opposition, at least until the city adopts stricter regulations for how the facilities operate and where they're located.

Driving the news: The city's Department of Metropolitan Development will hold a public meeting next week on draft special development standards to govern noise, appearance, land use, and other aspects of the server farms that store our information.

• The council unanimously passed a resolution last week calling for a moratorium on new data center projects until those standards are adopted.

Yes, but: It's nonbinding.

• It's a recommendation to the Metropolitan Development Commission, which makes zoning decisions.

State of play: Communities are worried about noise, aesthetics, the amount of water required to constantly cool electrical equipment and potentially higher electricity bills because these centers require as much power as a small city.

• Data centers could consume up to 12% of U.S. electricity by 2028, according to the Department of Energy.
• DMD's draft ordinance would create a new SU-47 special-use zoning district requiring every new data center to go through a full rezoning and public hearing.
• It would also set a 65-decibel maximum noise level at the property line and require a 200-foot minimum separation between a data center's primary building and any residentially zoned "protected district," including schools and churches.

Between the lines: Community and watchdog groups don't think the ordinance goes far enough to regulate the divisive projects.

What they're saying

🤩 "American Idol" star Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem at the Indianapolis 500. (Via press release)

🏁 Can't get enough 500 coverage? Stick around on FOX after the network's coverage of qualifying tomorrow for a one-hour documentary special, "THE 500: IMMORTALITY AT INDY," premiering at 6 p.m. (Via IndyCar)

☕ A new cafe bringing Cuban flavors opens today in Greenwood. Melao! Cuban Cafe will serve tropical fruit smoothies, Cuban-style coffee drinks and pastries. (Daily Journal)

📑 The State Board of Accounts is reviewing the audit of the city's Office of Public Health and Safety after the report raised concerns about a lack of accountability for the performance of anti-violence programs receiving grant money. (FOX59)

The return of SPARK on the Circle, fresh programming in Lugar Plaza and expanded experiences along the canal are all part of downtown Indy's 2026 summer vacation.

Why it matters: The Circle City Summer series aims to celebrate the city by giving Hoosiers a reason to gather in some of its most iconic public spaces.

Driving the news: Downtown Indy Alliance, in partnership with Big Car Collaborative and Indianapolis Cultural Trail, announced today that the series starts next week with Spring Into Lugar.

• The new lunchtime activations in Indy's newest city park will take place Tuesday-Thursday throughout May from 11am-2pm.
• SPARK on the Circle, Indy's free pedestrian-friendly pop-up park, returns to the northwest quadrant of Monument Circle for its fourth year on May 30, alongside Indy Gay Market on May 30 and 31.
• SPARK is open from 11am until dusk, and Indy Gay Market is open 11am-3pm.

Plus: Starting in June, the Downtown Canal and Monument Circle will regularly host food trucks, live music, happy hours, free fitness classes and more.

What's next: Additional details about programming and hours of operation for Circle City Summer series events will be released soon.

Shop 'til you drop while supporting the arts this weekend during the 54th OneAmerica Financial Foundation Broad Ripple Art Fair.

Driving the news: More than 185 local, regional and national artists will take part in the two-day juried art fair that benefits the Indy Art Center.

• Live music on two stages, food, Bier Brewery products, artist demonstrations and all-ages interactive art activities are also on the agenda.
• A new free shuttle service will take attendees between parking at Charles Schwab, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., and the fair.

If you go: 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday at the Indy Art Center.

• Advance tickets start at $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 5-12.
• Gate tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for kids.

Plus: Get a special sneak peek tonight during a preview party with more than 50 artists from 6-9pm.

• Tickets for the party start at $65.

The rest of our weekend picks