A: It hasn't. In fact, nothing about the "500" qualifying format has changed. What has changed is the criteria for making the show at an IRL event. At Indy, everything people know about qualifying stays the same, except that the "bumping" pool could be just 25 percent of the starting field, or eight positions. At any IRL event, Indy included, 75 percent of all starting spots are conditionally reserved for top IRL point holders -- 18 spots in a 24 car field, 25 spots in a 33-car field -- but grid position is determined by qualifying speed, not points. "Conditionally" means qualifying at a minimum speed which will be a percentage of the pole speed. In this way, any IRL racing field is, in part, based on performance at other League events. The idea is to develop a functional race-to-race series identity, provide an incentive for teams to participate consistently in League events, and keep competition open. See the qualifying story and "500" qualifying history in this issue.
"The incentive is designed to reward those entrants who compete in our series." -- Jack Long
Time trials, which have always been a high drama episode in Indianapolis 500 racing, will adopt a "new look" that is no less exciting with the introduction of the Indy Racing League in 1996.
A new system has been adopted which will support the "league" approach to the highest level of American open-wheel, oval-track competition. It is based on participation in the series, which opens with the Indy 200 at Walt Disney World in Florida on Saturday, Jan. 27, and includes the 80th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26.
Guaranteed qualifying spots will be available to leading teams in the series. This incentive will apply to 75 percent of starting positions in each race -- e.g., 18 cars in a 24-car lineup and, in the case of the Indianapolis 500, 25 of the 33-car field.
Also, Jack Long, executive director of the IRL, indicated that another element may be introduced - - a qualifying race at short track events. He called that a strong likelihood based on the number of inquiries coming at this early stage from new teams wanting to compete in the IRL.
As to the new criteria for time trials, Long emphasized that guarantees do not represent an exclusionary move by the new league. He said, "It is anything but exclusionary. It's an exemption based on participation and performance. The incentive is designed to reward those entrants who compete in our series.
The opportunity is there for any and all cars to enter our events under our rules...which, incidentally, are the same ones enforced at last year's Indianapolis 500 and those applied to all short-track races throughout 1995."
The possibility of adding races for nonqualifiers would be a benefit to both fans and team owners, according to Long. New teams, in particular, would get more track time under race conditions as well as a chance to advance into the headline field. Spectators would be offered one more competitive event among Indianapolis car contenders.
"This is still in the planning stage," Long said, "but if the quantity of entrants merits it, we believe it would be a positive addition to our qualifying format."
In elaborating on the exemption procedures, Long pointed out specific starting positions will be determined by traditional qualification and speed procedures. Cars will be required to complete qualification runs within minimum speed parameters which will be determined by the sanctioning United States Auto Club at each venue based on a percentage of the fastest qualifier's time, track conditions and safety considerations.
The system will not alter such traditions at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as pole qualifying, the four-day qualifying format or the "bumping" process on the final day of trials. While the top 25 point leaders after the IRL's first two events at Orlando and Phoenix will be conditionally assured positions in the "500", bumping will occur among entrants vying for the final eight at large spots in the 33-car field.
He added: "All IRL races will see the fastest car on the pole. And speed remains the common denominator throughout the field."
If the qualifying race plan is adopted, Long said it would fit well into the IRL's scoring system. In order to benefit consistent participation, points earned in each event are multiplied during the season by the number of IRL race appearances. A qualifying race would count even if an entrant fails to advance.
Since the Indy 200 Orlando is the first under the new incentive structure, qualifying there will not offer guaranteed spots. However, the top 18 finishers in that race will be guaranteed a position in the next event at Phoenix under the system.
Qualifying has not always been based on speed for the Indianapolis 500. In 1911 for the first race, the starting lineup was assigned in the order of entry. However, cars did have to go a quarter mile at faster than 75 miles per hour to make the race.
Over the years, many changes to Indy qualifying have occurred (see table below). Current procedures, which have remained virtually unchanged since 1969, are listed below.
1914 Same conditions but limited to the 30 fastest cars.
1915 One lap qualification -- 80mph minimum speed or 33 fastest cars. Car numbers and starting positions based on speed.
1916 Best lap of three. 80mph minimum.
1919 One-lap qualification. First day preference.
1920 Four-lap qualification. Preference based on day qualified.
1922 Last year for two-man cars until 1930.
1926 90mph minimum.
1930 Two-man cars. 85mph minimum. 40 starters (38 actually started).
1931 90mph minimum.
1933 10-lap qualification. 100mph minimum. First two day attempts eligible for pole. 42 starters.
1934 Field reduced to 33 cars.
1937 Minimum increased to 105mph.
1938 One-man cars restored. Minimum upped to 110mph.
1939 Four-lap qualifications introduced. Speed increased to 115mph.
1952 Current 4-day qualifying format adopted.
1960 Speed increased to 130mph minimum.
1969 No minimum speed requirement. "First-day" qualifying line for pole intact until one trap through line complete.
On an accompanying page of this newsletter -- our fourth -- is a recent photograph of the progress of construction at Walt Disney World on the one-mile oval speedway which will be the launching pad for the Indy Racing League. Proof positive not only that the league is happening but that it is happening on schedule. Hurricanes or no.
As this is written, the asphalt is being laid. And the curing process will soon begin. Within weeks testing on the new surface will be under way. Both Goodyear and Firestone have confirmed their intentions to be on the track as soon as cars are ready to roll there.
Race teams are making the same commitments. In fact, teams interested in scheduling tests can contact Phil Casey, IRL's director of operations for the Orlando race, by calling his office in Indianapolis (317-484-6526).
Soon, in fact, we hope to be announcing actual entries for that first race on Saturday, January 27. Applications for entry will be going out to teams early this month.
It is also appropriate -- to offer a word of update on the other new IRL track under construction, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This multi-million dollar, all-purpose facility being built by Richie Clyne is moving along at such a pace that Clyne is already talking confidently about next year's tire testing plans on the 1.5-mile tri-oval. And his opening race -- the Las Vegas 200 -- is not scheduled until Sept. 15! That will be the second race of IRL's 1996-97 season, which will open at New Hampshire International Speedway on Aug. 18, 1996.
And this also seems like an appropriate time and place to acknowledge another Indianapolis car racing milestone -- that's the 10th anniversary celebration this past month of Buddy Jobe's takeover of Phoenix International Raceway, an Indy racing tradition since 1964. Buddy, a newcomer to the sport at that time, has turned the one-mile track from a desert stopover to a desert showcase in one of America's booming marketplaces.
Jobe illustrated typical boldness and his confidence in the IRL by being one of the first to make a total commitment to the new league. He will host and promote IRL's second race on March 24. And, from there, it will be on to the 80th running of the Indianapolis 500, May 26.
How important is this first season to the sport of Indy car racing? More important than many think, because our sport is suffering from an identity crisis. A major part of that -- and one reason for IRL's emergence in 1996 -- is the preponderance of road and street races on the 1995 schedule, leading one veteran journalist to comment: "Doesn't the term Indy cars come from a domestic series run on oval tracks? There seems to be an identity gap. It's not supposed to be a Formula 1 spinoff, is it?"
The IRL will move Indy cars front and center again -- all of its oval races on national network television with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's longtime partner, ABC Sports. The 1996 season, which concludes with the Indy 500, will end in view of millions, not as the 1995 championship did -- with limited cable coverage.