Indy 500 confusing qualifying procedures explained (Update)
Same if we get rained out on Saturday and they can qualify on Sunday. Monday will only be used if both weekend days are a washout.
Each car is allowed two warm-up laps before beginning their qualifying attempt. A member of the team will wave a green flag on the main straight if the lap will be the start of a qualifying run.
Rule 8.4.3.3 of the IndyCar regulations states that "A completed Qualifications attempt shall consist of four (4) consecutively timed laps."
Each driver can make three attempts at qualifying but by starting a new attempt, it automatically forfeits their previous time.
Once the initial line of cars have all completed one qualifying attempt, the field will split into two lanes in the pits – the Fast Lane, and Lane Two. Cars in the Fast Lane will be given priority for re-entry to the track, once the car reaches the head of the field, their previous qualifying time is withdrawn.
Cars in Lane Two can join the track when there is a gap in the Fast Lane. If a car in this line does not improve their time, the original time remains.
The top nine cars in Saturday's session progress to a shootout for the front three rows of the grid on Sunday.
The remaining entrants will also drive again on Sunday, with all times from Saturday erased as they fight for positions 10-33.
That is then followed by the "shootout" as the nine quickest drivers from Saturday battle for positions 1-9 on the grid.
05/19/17 Below is an infographic outlining qualification procedures for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 (click it to enlarge). We are no certain what they will do if it rains one or both Qualifying days, which is expected.
