New IRL qualifying format begins today

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS

IndyCar drivers hope to make today the greatest spectacle in qualifying. They’re just not sure how the script will actually play out.

In a format change designed exclusively for entertainment value, the series’ biggest names are expected to take center stage at least twice and could have to make up to five qualifying runs to win the Indianapolis 500 pole.

“I am just going to go and drive,” defending Indy champ Helio Castroneves said Friday. “Whatever this guy tells me to do, I’ll go and go for it. I’ll be prepared.”

Exactly how each team and driver intends to deal with the “shootout” is still being debated in Gasoline Alley.

Under the new rules, each of the announced 37 car-driver combinations can make up to three runs during the first five hours of qualifying. The nine fastest cars will return to the track and be required to make at least one more four-lap run during the final 90 minutes. Each of the nine drivers could then make a second attempt and the best average speed takes the pole.

The top nine cars are locked into those nine starting spots, no matter what — even if one crashes. For the first time, there will be points at stake for drivers not on the pole, and with a more lucrative payday of $175,000 to the pole winner, well, some teams will go for it.

“How much are we going to push the envelope? We’re going to push it all the way,” team owner Chip Ganassi said. “Is it going to be a high level of stress? I think so, but I mean that’s what the fans pay for, that’s what the sponsors pay for, that’s what we get paid to do.”

Race organizers agree.

They changed the format to eliminate those typically dull mid-afternoon hours when teams practiced while waiting for the 2.5-mile track to cool down. The ensuing late-afternoon rush then turned into a guessing game about whether drivers could make it back into the qualifying line in time to take another shot — or whether any of the top qualifiers might withdraw their original speed and requalify to take the pole.

Some drivers don’t think the format adds much excitement.

“Part of the game is that there are cars that shouldn’t be in line that are in line. So you have to take into account those cars,” said Danica Patrick, who has never started worse than 10th at Indy. “It’s just going to be like normal shootout qualifying kind of stuff with the top nine.”

Drivers and teams were already debating how much time to spend on qualifying setup vs. race setup, plans that had to constantly be adjusted because of the wet track.