IndyCar set for single-car Fast Six qualifying at Arlington

The IndyCar Series has modified its final round of qualifying on Saturday at the Java House Arlington Grand Prix, which will be settled with single-car runs.

In a break from its standard road and street course qualifying procedure, the Firestone Fast Six will park the practice of giving the six fastest drivers an open track to settle pole position among themselves across multiple laps in favor of sending out the six drivers on their own to complete one flying lap apiece.

The six fastest who advance from the Firestone Fast 12 will run in descending order, with the slowest going first.

“During the Firestone Fast Six at Arlington, drivers will leave pit lane and get an opportunity for one lap – starting and ending at the alternate start/finish line,” IndyCar announced. “Once the car enters pit lane following that driver’s attempt, the next car will be released for its attempt. Tire allotments and tire rules will remain unchanged throughout the event.”

FOX will lengthen the duration of its qualifying broadcast to span two hours on FOX Sports 2, and if poor weather impedes the ability for all six drivers to complete runs in equal conditions, the series will revert to a standard timed session with all cars on track or lock the field in with the results from the Fast 12.

“I am excited about this opportunity to put more focus on individual teams and drivers and appreciate FOX Sports providing IndyCar with an expanded broadcast window to accommodate this change,” said IndyCar President Doug Boles. “This format will allow the competitors and sponsors who earned spots in the Firestone Fast Six the full attention of the broadcast during its qualifying attempt. It also allows for viewers at home to see just what makes qualifying in IndyCar so competitive and the perfection that it takes to sit atop the grid and earn the right to lead the field to the green flag on race day.”