The Way I See It!

2010 Indianapolis 500 Schedule

Posted by Randy Hollenbeck on April 17, 2010

Indy, Info

Date(s) Day(s) Event

May 15–16 Saturday – Sunday Rookie Orientation & IndyCar Series practice

May 17–21 Monday – Friday IndyCar Series practice

May 22 Saturday Pole Day Time Trials

May 23 Sunday Bump Day Time Trials

May 28 Friday Carb Day – IndyCar Series final practice

Pit Stop Challenge

ZZ Top concert

May 30 Sunday 94th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race

Poll Format Changed

An exciting new qualifying format for the Indianapolis 500, featuring a 90-minute “shootout” in which the nine fastest cars make a dramatic, late-day run for the pole, will debut Saturday, May 22 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“This new format for Indianapolis 500 qualifying will deliver even more action and intensity for fans,” said Jeff Belskus, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation.  “Drivers will go all out during the first session on Pole Day to get a chance to make a run for the pole.  Then they’ll need to dig even deeper to find the speed for the pole in the last 90 minutes.  Plus there still will be plenty of spots up for grabs on Bump Day, with all of the dramatic, last-minute bumping that generations of fans have loved about Indy.

“This is going to be a fantastic weekend of qualifying.  I can’t wait to see it unfold.”

The top 24 spots in the 33-car field will be available through traditional four-lap attempts from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (ET) on Pole Day.  Each car will have up to three attempts during that time.

The times of the top nine drivers from the first segment of qualifying will be erased at 4 p.m., with all of those competitors guaranteed to start no worse than ninth in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 30.

“The Fast Nine” then will be required to make at least one four-lap qualifying attempt between 4:30-6 p.m., with one additional, optional attempt if time permits.  Each driver’s best run during the 90-minute session will set their position within the top nine spots on the starting grid.

If inclement weather prevents the 90-minute shootout for the “Fast Nine,” their times from the opening session will determine starting positions