By Austin Lawton, Staff Writer
IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced changes to the Indianapolis 500 qualifying format on Monday afternoon. The change comes after a 34th entry could not come to fruition, leaving the field capped at 33.
The start of Saturday qualifications remains un-changed, with every car in the field allowed one attempt starting at 11 am, with positions 16th through 33rd being locked in, a change from positions 13th through 30th. Drivers in positions first through 15th will be the only ones to qualify on Sunday, May 17, where the notable changes to the procedures occur.
Gone is the now, traditional, “Last Row Shootout”, used to set positions 31st through 33rd. Replacing the “Last Row Shootout” and in an attempt to create excitement, is the new, “Final 15 Qualifying” session. This session will see drivers that ended in positions 10th through 15th from Saturday, run again to get a shot at the Fast 12 session on Sunday evening. Each of the six drivers will get one attempt, starting at 4 pm, with the fastest three advancing to the Top 12 session one hour later.
In order to aid the quick turnaround for the three advancing drivers, they will be allowed a cool-down period, being paced behind the pace car. This same cooldown period will be allowed to the drivers who advance to the Firestone Fast Six as well.
After the “Final 15” session, the rest of qualifications is standard procedure, with the Top 12 session, where positions 7-12 are set, then leading into the Firestone Fast Six at 6:35pm, where the pole will be set.
“As the past few seasons have proven, INDYCAR has an incredibly deep and world-class field filled with current and rising stars,” IndyCar President Doug Boles said in an issued statement. “This expanded format, which includes all rounds on FOX, will shine a massive spotlight on the remarkable skill it takes to start toward the front of our sport’s biggest event.”
Pre-qualifying practice will continued to be held throughout the weekend. Saturday morning’s session will be from 8:30-9:30am. On Sunday, the six drivers in the “Final 15” session will have practice from 1-2pm and the Top 12 from Saturday will have their practice session from 2-3pm.
Points will still be awarded for the Indy 500 pole, with the winner earning 12 championship points.
“Winning pole position for the ‘500’ carries with it one of the most prestigious honors in all of motorsports, and we know our fans – whether spending the day with us at the track or watching on FOX – will look forward to celebrating this year’s pole winner,” Boles said.