IRL puts brakes on fuel mixture controls

Honda and IndyCar Series officials have quietly made a decision that might have a profound effect on the outcome of this year's Indianapolis 500. Teams have been notified to expect they will lose the ability to control fuel mixtures during the race, which in the past has been a key part of race strategy for the Indy 500.

In the past, drivers have been able to change their fuel setting using a gauge that allows them to set it to a variation of full rich or full lean. Full rich produces the optimum horsepower; full lean the optimum fuel mileage.

Instead of having a variable option, teams will be given just two choices: full rich or a setting that leans the engine out slightly, which is intended specifically for use during cautions.

This decision will most likely eliminate any possibility of the race being won on a fuel mileage strategy and instead reward the driver who is the hardest (and smartest) charger. It's going to be up to the talent of the driver and not the fuel mixture you are running," said Tony Kanaan, who starts on the front row, in second spot.

"The only way I know how to run is flat out, so (by) taking the fuel mileage away, you're going to have to run flat out, you can't just keep lagging around in the back. Races should be won by people who run flat out and not by ones who save fuel." More at Yahoo! Sports