Indy 500 qualifying format changes to add drama without bumping

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IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials have once again tinkered with the qualifying structure for the Indianapolis 500 in hopes of including drama and filling the possible void of bumping on Could 21-22. In this article are the variations:

12 cars and trucks compete for pole on Sunday in put of Rapidly 9

Alternatively than the quickest nine drivers from Saturday figuring out the pole, the pool of drivers competing for that spot on the inside of Row 1 at the environmentally friendly flag — and the coveted $100,000 prize — will grow to 12 this yr, officials announced Tuesday afternoon, with the addition of a further qualifying round to established the front-runners.

As has been the circumstance for various a long time, Working day 1 of Indy 500 qualifying will get started in a randomized buy by using a draw next Rapidly Friday for each and every auto to make its first operate. Until the ultimate gun sounds at 5:50 p.m., motorists and teams will then be allowed to hop into one particular of two lanes, need to they desire to make one more endeavor.

► The precedence lane: To enter Lane 1, a driver must withdraw their time presently posted, and their new 4-lap regular will slot them into the subject accordingly. For the reason that of the extra danger, they get precedence of cars making an attempt to get again onto the monitor.

► Lane 2: Teams have more protection in this lane for the reason that their new time will only rely if it can be superior than their former operate.

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Bumping however probable, even though not likely

While considered unlikely at this stage, should the area settle at additional than 33 cars, only the top 30 cars and trucks from Saturday will be considered “locked into” the race. Whilst the prime 12 qualifiers will compete for commencing placement, spots 13-30 will be locked into a specific beginning spot primarily based on their qualifying velocity.

There would be a final possibility qualifying session Sunday from 2-3 p.m., where by four or far more cars will compete for commencing positions 31-33. Really should that just take area, each and every auto would be assured at minimum just one operate, and then autos would be allowed to make subsequent runs to consider and bump their way into the discipline up to 3 p.m. But the series is only at 32 introduced entries at the moment, and there only appears to be momentum driving a person a lot more serious entry.

Two rounds of qualifying to figure out the pole

Ought to there be just 33 entries, cars rated 13th-33rd on the speed charts will be locked-in immediately after Saturday, with Sunday choosing the buy of the to start with four rows. The additional entrance-of-the-discipline qualifying session starts Sunday with the Prime 12 qualifying session, setting up at 4 p.m. — the begin of a two-hour NBC broadcast window. Just about every of the fastest 12 cars from Saturday will have the chance to make a single four-lap operate, with a managing purchase of the 12th-swiftest to quickest. The speediest six of these autos then go onto the Firestone Rapid 6, and automobiles 7th-12th on the velocity charts will be slotted into the race industry accordingly.

In the Firestone Fast 6, cars will make their lone attempt in order of slowest to quickest from the Best 12 session, and they’ll be slotted into the field’s 1st two rows based mostly on this ultimate qualifying endeavor. The speediest motor vehicle earns the pole.

In a adjust to the very last pair years, the remaining Indy 500 observe just before Carb Working day (Might 27) will be held the following day: Monday, May possibly 23, from 12-2 p.m., and that day, lovers will only be permitted in the infield. Bronze and silver badges will be honored for gate admission and corresponding garage and pit obtain.