IndyCar: Indy 500 qualifying rules finalized

While the battle for the pole position and starting spots 2-30 will be determined on Sunday at next month's Indianapolis 500, Saturday's first round of qualifying could get bumpy.

In officially announcing the schedule and format for the 98th running of the May classic, IndyCar officials mapped out the new look of qualifying and Saturday carries more clout than previously thought.

"Depending on the number of cars we have making attempts, a team could get bumped out and be done on Saturday," said Derrick Walker, president of competition for IndyCar. "It's also about earning points and money, as well as your pit selection order, so Saturday is very important."

Providing there are more than 33 cars taking attempts on Saturday, and right now there are 31 strong car/driver combinations confirmed with the possibility of four more, the slowest would be eliminated.
In other words, qualify 34th fastest on Saturday and you are finished. But, if you crash or suffer an engine failure or have a problem that forbids a team from making at least one attempt, you will be allowed to run on Sunday – but only for the last row.

"Sunday is as an important day for the teams as they run for their final starting positions 1 through 30, the not-in-the show cars run to secure the 31-33 remaining stops in the race. Lets not forget the fast nine as well decides the pole sitter on Sunday," continued Walker. "And if we would happen to get rained out on Sunday, then Saturday's lineup stands for the race, provided we have 33 qualifiers."

Saturday opens for practice at 8 a.m. with split groups until 9 and then an hour more for everyone on track together. Qualifying begins at 11 a.m. and goes to 5:50 p.m. and Walker feels like there's enough time for everyone to get two attempts.

Sunday's schedule has an hour practice from 8:30-9:30 and qualifying for spots 10-30 opens at 10:15 a.m. and runs to 12:15 with everyone allowed one attempt. Then, from 12:45 to 1:45 will determine the last row, providing, of course, there are more than 33 cars.

The Fast Nine goes from 2:00 to 2:45 with ABC providing live coverage from 1-3 p.m.

Of course, one of May's great traditions was the last-minute drama of teams pulling out spare cars and drivers making deals. That can still happen but anybody wanting to bring out a spare car must declare their intentions within an hour after qualifying ends on Saturday.

It's also been decided the track will be open from 12-5 p.m. on Monday, May 19, for teams to practice their race and full-tank setups.