IndyCar is a high-speed, open-wheel racing series that features some of the most talented drivers in the world. One of the most exciting aspects of IndyCar is the qualifying process. Qualifying is a critical part of any racing event, as it determines the starting grid for the race. In IndyCar, the qualifying process is unique and can vary depending on the type of track being used.
For example, in the Indianapolis 500, cars make four-lap qualifying attempts of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the order of a random draw on Fast Friday. Cars are ranked by their average speed across the four laps. After all cars have made one attempt, a driver may attempt to improve their qualifying speed by entering their car into one of two lanes on pit road. On the other hand, qualifying for a street or road course event is a bit different. In these cases, drivers take part in a knockout-style qualifying session, with multiple rounds of timed laps determining the final starting grid.
Overview of IndyCar Qualifying
Qualifying for the NTT IndyCar Series is a crucial part of the racing weekend, as it determines the starting order for the race.
The qualifying process varies depending on the type of track, with different formats for ovals, street courses, and road courses.
In general, qualifying involves a timed session where drivers attempt to set the fastest lap times possible. At oval tracks, drivers participate in a unique format where they run in reverse championship order, with the lowest-scoring driver going first. Each driver gets a warm-up and two laps to set the fastest average speed.
The qualifying order at the Indianapolis 500 is determined by a random draw on Fast Friday, with cars making four-lap qualifying attempts.
The cars are ranked by their average speed across the four laps, and drivers may attempt to improve their qualifying speed by entering their car into one of two lanes on pit road.
Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing claimed the pole position for the 2022 Indy 500 by completing a four-lap qualifying run with an impressive speed of 234.046 mph. Dixon’s qualifying run for the 2022 Indy 500 pole position was the quickest in the history of the race, surpassing Scott Brayton’s 1996 run of 233.718 mph.
On street and road courses, qualifying is split into multiple sessions, with the fastest drivers from each session advancing to the next round.
The first session is typically a knockout format, where the slowest drivers are eliminated after each round. The final session determines the starting order for the race, with the driver who sets the fastest lap time starting from pole position.
In all qualifying sessions, drivers are limited by the number of laps they can run and the amount of time available. This means that they must carefully manage their time and make the most of every lap to set a fast time.
The qualifying format is designed to create an exciting and competitive atmosphere, with drivers pushing themselves and their cars to the limit to secure the best possible starting position for the race.
Qualifying Formats
Road/Street Course Qualifying Format
On road and street courses, there are three rounds of qualifying. In the first round, all cars are divided into two groups, Group 1 and Group 2, with each group getting 10 minutes of track time.
The fastest six cars from each group advance to the second round, while the remaining cars are ranked based on their fastest lap time.
In the second round, the remaining 12 cars have 10 minutes of track time to set their fastest lap. The six fastest cars advance to the final round, while the remaining six cars are ranked based on their fastest lap time.
The final round, also known as the Firestone Fast Six, consists of six cars and lasts for 10 minutes. The driver with the fastest lap time in this round wins the pole position.
Oval Course Qualifying Format
On oval courses, there are two rounds of qualifying for each race weekend.
In the first round, each car has one four-lap qualifying attempt. The order of the cars is determined by a random draw. After the first round, the cars are ranked based on their fastest four-lap average.
The fastest 33 cars advance to the second round, known as the Fast Nine. In the Fast Nine, each car has one four-lap attempt to determine their starting position.
The cars are ranked based on their fastest four-lap average in this round, with the car with the fastest average starting on the pole position.
Overall, the qualifying format for the IndyCar series is designed to reward speed and consistency. The format ensures that the fastest cars start at the front of the grid, while also providing an opportunity for every car to qualify for race day.
Rules and Regulations
Car Eligibility
All cars participating in the IndyCar qualifying session must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by the IndyCar Series. The cars must pass technical inspection and meet the minimum weight requirements, fuel capacity, and other specifications. The rules and regulations are updated regularly, and teams must stay up-to-date with the latest requirements to ensure their cars are eligible to participate.
Qualifying Order
The order in which the cars qualify is determined by a random draw. Each car is guaranteed one four-lap qualifying run, which is done alone on the track. The drivers are allowed to make multiple attempts to qualify, but only their fastest time will count. The qualifying session takes place over two days, with the final positions being determined on the second day.
Penalties and Disqualifications
If a car fails to meet the eligibility requirements or violates any of the rules and regulations during the qualifying session, it may be subject to penalties or disqualification. The penalties may include a loss of position or time, fines, or even suspension from future races. The officials have the final say in determining the penalties and disqualifications, and their decisions are not subject to appeal. Overall, the IndyCar Series has strict rules and regulations in place to ensure fair and safe competition. The teams and drivers must follow these rules to participate in the qualifying session and the race.
Strategy and Tactics
Qualifying in IndyCar is not just about speed, it is also about strategy and tactics. The drivers and teams must make decisions about tire management, drafting, and pit stops to give themselves the best chance of securing a good starting position.
Tire Management
Managing tire wear is crucial to a successful qualifying attempt. The tires must be at their best for the four-lap run, so the teams must decide when to put on new tires and how many laps to run on them before the qualifying attempt. They must also consider factors such as track temperature and weather conditions to make the best decision.
Drafting
Drafting is another important tactic in IndyCar qualifying. Drivers can gain a significant advantage by drafting behind another car, which reduces air resistance and allows them to go faster. However, drafting also requires careful coordination between the drivers, as they must work together to time their runs and avoid interfering with one another.
Pit Stops
Pit stops are not just for the race, but they also play a role in qualifying. Teams must decide when to make a pit stop during the qualifying session to change tires or make adjustments to the car. Timing the pit stop correctly can make a big difference in the driver’s speed and overall qualifying position.
How Does IndyCar Qualifying Work? – FAQs
What is IndyCar qualifying?
IndyCar qualifying is the process by which drivers compete to determine their starting positions in a race.
How many rounds of qualifying are there in an IndyCar race weekend?
IndyCar typically has three rounds of qualifying during a race weekend: Round 1, Round 2, and the Fast Six.
How does Round 1 of IndyCar qualifying work?
In Round 1 of qualifying, all drivers are divided into two groups and are given 10 minutes to set their best lap times. The fastest six drivers from each group advance to Round 2.
How does Round 2 of IndyCar qualifying work?
In Round 2 of qualifying, the 12 remaining drivers compete for the fastest lap times. The top six drivers from this round advance to the Fast Six.
What is the Fast Six in IndyCar qualifying?
The Fast Six is the final round of qualifying in IndyCar. The top six drivers from Round 2 compete in a single 10-minute session to determine the starting positions for the first three rows of the race grid.
How are starting positions determined in the Fast Six?
The starting positions for the first three rows of the race grid are determined by each driver’s fastest single lap time in the Fast Six.
Can a driver compete in the race if they do not qualify for the Fast Six?
Yes, all drivers who complete at least one lap in qualifying are eligible to compete in the race. However, they will start in positions 13 or lower based on their qualifying times.
FAQs
How does the IndyCar qualifying work? ›
The qualification round includes two consecutive timed laps. The total time taken in the two consecutive timed laps is recorded and is considered as the official qualifying time for the car. This is known as the green flag laps. Each car is allowed to leave the staging pit only once during the entire race.
Is there qualifying in IndyCar? ›The top 12 drivers on the starting grid will receive NTT INDYCAR SERIES points, with the NTT P1 Award winner earning 12, the No. 2 starter 11 and then in descending order to the No. 12 starter earning one extra point. Qualifying will take place for positions 1-30.
How much do you get paid for being in the IndyCar Series? ›IndyCar – $750,000 average (£616,000)
Although IndyCar's popularity has been on the rise in the last decade – while NASCAR's viewership dropped in the 2010s only to rally since 2020 – it is still dwarfed by the stock racing series on all key metrics.
IndyCar programs can run up to $10 million per car. The series has two engine manufacturers (Honda and Chevrolet) and one chassis maker (Dallara). F1 has a cost ceiling of $135 million per two-car team per year, but those teams make, develop and test their machines.
How does qualifying work in racing? ›During qualifying, every driver is given a set number of laps in which they have to set their fastest time. The driver who sets the fastest time during Q1 progresses to Q2, while the slowest drivers are eliminated.
How are IndyCar pit assignments determined? ›Depending on the circuit, the garage may be located on pit lane or in a separate area. In most series, the order of the teams' pit boxes is assigned by points standings, race results, or previous qualifying results before the start of the race.
What is the 25 8 rule IndyCar? ›For the 1996 Indy 500, the "25/8 Rule" was adopted, where 25 starting grid positions were set aside for the top 25 cars in 1996 season IRL points standings, and the remaining 8 spots in the grid were open for the remaining entries.
What is push to pass in IndyCar qualifying? ›Some of us might not recall, however, that IndyCar implemented a driver control intended to increase on-track overtakes two years earlier. First introduced in 2009, IndyCar's push-to-pass system allows a driver, after two laps of green flag racing, to apply a roughly 60 horsepower boost to their engine's power output.
How many G's do Indy cars pull? ›That's 4 gs! That means four times the weight of his head pushed on said head and four times the weight of his body on said body. Over 200 laps and three or so hours, it happens 800 times. Even the slowest drivers of the day corner at better than 200 mph and feel well over 3 gs while doing it.
How much does it cost to become an IndyCar driver? ›Not just the race but your money, too. For a team with built-in infrastructure, it costs about $1 million to field a competitive entry, according to longtime team owner Chip Ganassi. But you're building a team from scratch, which puts the price tag at $2 million or more.
How much does it cost to be the main sponsor for an IndyCar? ›
Report: IndyCar's price tag for new title sponsor is $30 million.
How much does it cost to join IndyCar? ›IndyCar entrants are charged a fee of $2,325 which is comprehensive and includes 25 team credentials. You will have to pay another $21,000 for your garage space for a month, fuel services, race modes, parking, scoring etc.
How much does IndyCar fuel cost? ›Fuel for the month is $1,500. Thirty-three sets of Firestone tires is the maximum. Firestone officials don't reveal costs, but three teams said they pay $2,600 a set, which makes the bill $85,800.
How much horsepower does a IndyCar have? ›Indy 500: 1,590 pounds, 201.7 inches long, 76.5 inches wide, 40 inches tall, 117.5-inch wheelbase, 25-27.5-inch diameter tires, 550-700 horsepower. NASCAR: 3,200 pounds, 193.3 inches long, 78.6 inches wide, 50.4-inch roofline, 110-inch wheelbase, 18-inch diameter tires, 550-670 horsepower.
Is a Formula 1 car faster than an IndyCar? ›F1 cars accelerate faster, corner with far more agility and grip, while still being capable of incredible top speeds – where IndyCar wins out is at the very top end of the speedometer. IndyCar raced at the Circuit of The Americas in 2019, a venue also used in Formula 1.
What is qualifying lane 1 and lane 2 Indy 500? ›Cars in the priority lane (Lane 1) must withdraw their qualified time — if the car has one — but get priority access to the track ahead of Lane 2. Lane 2 is for cars that have already qualified but wish to improve their position.
How is qualifying order determined in Indy 500? ›As per tradition, the order of initial qualifying runs will be determined on Friday evening by hand-picked draw. Once every car has made at least one attempt to qualify, teams have to choose between two lanes for subsequent attempts.