MOORESVILLE, N.C. — IndyCar officers have clarified the sanctioning physique’s reserve driver coverage for the 109th Indianapolis 500.
The change might affect 2021 NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports if the race is delayed, or stopped, for rain.
Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren agreed that in 2025, the Coca-Cola 600 would take precedence over the Indianapolis 500 for Larson to keep away from final yr’s state of affairs when a four-hour rain delay to the beginning of the Indianapolis 500 saved Larson from competing within the 600.
Larson drives the total NASCAR Cup Sequence schedule and competes for the season championship. He’s an Indy 500-only competitor within the IndyCar Sequence.
IndyCar has knowledgeable race groups of a procedural replace involving eligible drivers forward of the 109th Indianapolis 500 offered by Gainbridge. Throughout a current staff supervisor name, groups have been made conscious {that a} alternative driver could be eligible with the next parameters:
A alternative driver will solely be thought-about if the first (entered) driver is also taking part in one other marquee occasion with the driving force’s principal racing collection on Indianapolis 500 Race Day.
The IndyCar-approved veteran alternative driver is eligible for and passes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway refresher program within the entry throughout the first day of Indianapolis 500 observe.
Extra tires for the refresher program is not going to be allowed for the Indianapolis 500 entry. The tire allotment for every entrant is 32 units for the occasion. Any tires used for the refresher program will probably be taken from the allotted tires to that entry.
Through the refresher program, minimal setup modifications will probably be allowed.
After the alternative driver completes the required phases of the refresher program, further laps throughout the session is not going to be permitted.
As soon as IndyCar is notified {that a} staff will use its alternative driver for the Indianapolis 500, the entry’s certified place is forfeited, and the automotive will begin on the rear of the beginning lineup and ordered in response to Rule 8.1.8.6.
A professional driver, who’s formally changed by the staff, could return and compete with that entry supplied the alternative driver has not participated in a session apart from the refresher program.
The automotive’s beginning place will stay on the rear of the sector with the beginning lineup ordered in response to Rule 8.1.8.6.
The 2025 IndyCar rulebook will probably be up to date to mirror these modifications.
If Larson has to depart the Indianapolis 500 earlier than it begins, Arrow McLaren Workforce Principal Tony Kanaan could be the driving force however must begin on the rear of the sector. Kanaan gained the 2013 Indianapolis 500.
Nonetheless, if the race begins and Larson begins the automotive however has to depart earlier than the top of the race as a way to get to Charlotte Motor Speedway on time, Kanaan, or any accredited driver, is not going to be allowed to drive Larson’s automotive. That’s for security causes due to the place of the seat, pedals and different key elements within the cockpit are completely different for every driver. That is for security causes.
