Indy 500 qualifying delayed by rain

INDYCAR delayed the start of Saturday’s Indianapolis 500 qualifying after rain hit Indianapolis Motor Speedway and washed out the morning practice session. The series said PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying would begin only when the 2.5-mile oval was dry. The delay left officials waiting on track conditions at a venue where cars are expected to run at more than 230 mph. Saturday and Sunday still make up the two-day qualifying program for the 110th running of the race, which is scheduled for May 24. ### Why was qualifying delayed instead of started on time? Rain at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday morning forced INDYCAR to cancel Practice 5 before the first qualifying runs were due to begin. The series said the qualifying session would start only after the oval dried, and asked fans to watch for schedule updates. The Indianapolis 500 event schedule had listed Day 1 qualifying for an 11 a.m. (indycar.com) ET start on May 16. That timetable became contingent on the weather once the track took on water early in the day. ### What was Saturday supposed to decide on the grid? Saturday’s session is set to lock in positions 16 through 33 on the Indianapolis 500 starting grid. (indycar.com) Indianapolis Motor Speedway said the fastest nine cars from Day 1 also secure places in Sunday’s Top 12 qualifying round. (indycar.com) The revised format announced May 11 added another Sunday layer by sending cars ranked 10th through 15th on Saturday into a Final 15 round. That extra round will decide the final three spots in the Top 12 session. ### Why is there no bumping drama this year? The number 33 explains the change. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) FOX59 reported there are 33 entrants for 33 starting positions, which removes the need for a Last Chance Qualifying session to eliminate one car from the field. In previous years, the slowest cars after the opening day could be sent into a final fight for the last row, with one entry failing to make the race. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) This year, Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s updated procedure focuses instead on sorting the field and the pole-position contenders. (fox59.com) ### How does Sunday’s format work if Saturday gets completed? Sunday, May 17, is scheduled to begin the pole-day sequence with the new Final 15 round. Indianapolis Motor Speedway said the six drivers who finished 10th through 15th on Saturday each get one four-lap attempt, with the fastest three moving on. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) At approximately 5 p.m. ET, the Top 12 round is scheduled to start with those three advancing cars joined by the nine fastest from Saturday. The fastest six in that round advance to the Firestone Fast Six, which determines positions one through six on the grid. The pole winner also receives the NTT P1 Award and a $100,000 prize, Indianapolis Motor Speedway said. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) FOX59 reported qualifying points also are awarded through the Top 12 and Fast Six results, with the pole winner receiving 12 points. ### What happens next for teams and fans? (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) INDYCAR said fans should monitor its official channels and the broadcast for updates while crews work to dry the track. The event page for the 110th Indianapolis 500 continues to list qualifying activity across May 16 and May 17, followed by race day on Sunday, May 24. May 24 remains the scheduled date for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) Sunday’s qualifying rounds — if the schedule proceeds after the weather delay — will set the front of the grid and the pole sitter for that race. (indycar.com)