Indy 500 Pole Day Could Move To Sunday, With Financial Incentives For Race Teams

Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles said that his staff is "working on a plan" that would have the No. 1 starting position for the Indianapolis 500 "decided in the final minutes of qualifying weekend," according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Pole day has been reserved for the first qualifying day "throughout most of the 500's history." Miles said that the potential change is "based on a general desire to strengthen the 500's events." That includes IndyCar's first road race at IMS on May 10 and "having two meaningful days of qualifying for the 500 (May 17-18)." Miles "likes the idea of all the cars qualifying on Saturday, May 17, with the Sunday session reserved for setting the order of those cars." He acknowledged that qualifying both days "will be taxing on the teams," but added that there "could be financial incentives" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/12).