INDYCAR makes tweaks to Indy 500 Qualifying

IndyCar announced on Thursday some notable changes to qualifying for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

The most notable difference is moving Bump Day from Saturday to Sunday and locking in positions 1-30 on Saturday.

Bump day had previously been on Saturday since 2014 along with Fast Nine Shootout order being locked in. The entire field would run again on Sunday to determine the starting order for the race with the Fast Nine Shootout determining the polesitter.

On Saturday, each car is allowed an attempt to qualify for one of the locked-in positions and a potential berth in the Fast Nine Shootout on Sunday.

All cars are permitted multiple attempts as time allows. Positions 10-30 will be locked in for the race and will not make another run on Sunday.

Sunday's qualifying action will kick off at 12:15 p.m. local time with the Last Row Shootout. All drivers not in the fast 30 will qualify again in the order of their original draw with the fastest three making up the final row.

That will follow with the Fast Nine Shootout commencing from 01:15 p.m. - 02:15 p.m. with each car making one attempt and the fastest driver taking the pole for the race.

IndyCar has also added a race practice session for all 33 entries from 03:15-06:00 pm. IndyCar previously held a practice session on the Monday after qualifying.

Jay Frye, president of the NTT Data IndyCar Series, noted that the changes were to accommodate fans and give them their money’s worth to experience the on-track activity.

"With this schedule, fans will get a phenomenal weekend of action, with two days of 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," INDYCAR President Jay Frye said.