When the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from July 24-26, it will not only be with a new rules package but with a new qualifying format as well.
As a “high drag” setup is being implemented on the cars, featuring a taller nine-inch splitter among other aerodynamic tweaks, qualifying is being adjusted so as to minimize drafting.
After teams take part in an expanded five hours of practice on Friday, July 24, to work on tuning their cars under the new package, they will look to survive in Saturday’s new “knockout” qualifying format. The format will feature two rounds, with the top 12 advancing to the second round and a shot at the pole for the Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard.
“In addition to the new aero package designed to make the racing more compelling and the increased practice time, the change in qualifying adds to what should be an exciting weekend,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said.
The qualifying format, which will be used by the Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series on Saturday, July 25, will consist of cars taking one timed lap in each round. Each vehicle will be released in a predetermined time interval determined by NASCAR, with the first round determined by a random draw and the final round determined by slowest to fastest first-round speeds.
The 12 cars in the final round will have their speeds reset and the round will determine positions 1-12 on the grid, while positions 13 and beyond will be set from first-round speeds.
A 10-minute break will be held between the rounds, with advancing cars allowed to adjust grille tape and use a cool-down unit.
The new higher-drag package is meant to allow cars to “pack up” easier, therefore allowing for more passing and more intrigue for drivers and fans.
“I think it’s great that NASCAR is doing everything they can to listen to the fans and improve the competition. Indy has been one of those places that has proven difficult to pass, it’s a flat track with not a lot of banking, so with a big stock car it’s difficult to find the aerodynamics that you need to make those passes,” said Sam Hornish Jr., 2006 Indianapolis 500 champion and Brickyard 400 veteran.
“With the new package, NASCAR is adding more drag to the car, which I think is a good idea. Obviously we need to get there and see what we’ve got, but it’s an opportunity to see a new package and for NASCAR to improve the competition level and increase the number of passes on the racetrack.”
Both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series will utilize NASCAR’s superspeedway qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This knockout format is being utilized to minimize the role drafting plays in setting the lineup. The format is as follows:
- Two rounds of qualifying, with the top-12 posted lap speeds advancing to the second round
- Race vehicles taking one, timed lap in each round of qualifying
- Each race vehicle will be released in a predetermined timed interval as determined by NASCAR, with the sanctioning body reserving the right to have more than one vehicle engaging in qualifying runs at the same time
- Qualifying order for the first round will be determined by a random draw; final round qualifying order is determined by slowest to fastest speeds from the first round
- A 10-minute break will occur between the first qualifying round and the final round
- Upon completion of the first qualifying round, the field will be set with positions 13 and beyond determined from first round qualifying speed
- The 12 fastest vehicles from the first round will have their speeds reset for the final round with starting positions 1-12 determined by the fastest laps in the final round
- NASCAR will hold race vehicles following each qualifying lap; vehicles advancing to the final round will be allowed to adjust tape and utilize a cool-down unit during the 10-minute break only