Indianapolis, IN (93.7 The Fan) - Changes are coming to qualifying weekend for the 103rd The Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT IndyCar Series announced changes to both the Saturday and Sunday schedule as more than 35-cars are expected to attempt to qualify for the 33-car field.
Highlights of the changes to Crown Royal Armed Forces Qualifying weekend include competitors battling on Saturday, May 18th for one of the 30 locked-in starting positions as well as a berth in the Fast Nine Shootout, which takes place the following day. Each entry is guaranteed one attempt and could make multiple four-lap runs if time permits. Cars in positions 10 through 30 at the end of Saturday are locked into those spots for the race and will not re-qualify the next day.
Sunday, May 19th's action will feature Drivers outside of the top 30 battling for the final three starting spots, commonly referred to as "Bump Day". The pole-deciding Fast Nine Shootout will also take place, setting the starting order for the first three rows.
Sunday's action will be capped by a practice of nearly three hours. Cars will be trimmed in race set-up and running in groups that should serve as a preview of The Greatest Spectacle In Racing.
"With this schedule, fans will get a phenomenal weekend of action, with two days qualifying, bumping, the run for the pole and this incredible practice that effectively is the race before the race, all in a two-day span," said NTT IndyCar Series President Jay Frye.
The qualifying weekend schedule is as follows:
Saturday, May 18 (all times ET):
8-9:30 a.m.: Practice
11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: Qualifying (order based on draw, top 30 locked in field at end of day)
Sunday, May 19:
10:15-10:45 a.m.: Fast Nine Shootout practice 10:45-11:15 a.m.: Last Row Shootout practice
12:15-1:15 p.m.: Last Row Shootout qualifying (order based on original draw, one attempt per car)
1:15-2:15 p.m.: Fast Nine Shootout qualifying (order based on Saturday times, slowest to fastest, one attempt per car)
3:15-6 p.m.: Open practice, all 33 qualified cars
The 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season totals 17 races and opens with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10 (12:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN).
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