The NTT IndyCar Series has made an adjustment to the qualifying procedures for next weekend’s inaugural event on the streets of Arlington, TX.
A typical knockout format will be used for a majority of the session, with the first and second rounds taking place with many cars on track and serving to set all but the first three rows of the grid.
The final round, however, will see drivers tackle the course one at a time rather that all at once.
The change will allow fans to follow closely as each driver pushes the limits, and will also force drivers to produce a perfect lap under more pressure than usual because there will be no second chances.
“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,” IndyCar President Doug Boles said.
“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.”
The series will use next weekend’s format as a trial run, and will consider implementing the modification for future rounds as well.
IndyCar also reserves the right to revert to a typical, timed session for this weekend should rain or other external factors produce a track that has a potential to significantly change in the time it would take for all six cars to complete their runs.
The new qualifying format will take place Saturday at 1:30 central time, with the Grand Prix of Arlington getting underway at noon on Sunday.