UPDATE: INDYCAR senior officials Mark Miles (Hulman & Co. CEO) and Derrick Walker (INDYCAR president of competition and operations) have made an appearance in the media center.
The pair have confirmed the aerodynamic downforce levels that teams qualify with will be the ones they race with.
The series has also confirmed no points will be awarded for qualifying, when it starts.
Here is Miles’ statement:
“This morning we saw a third car get into the wall, turn backward and lift into the air. We’ve said all along we want to go faster, but we want to do so safely.
“As a precautionary measure, INDYCAR will require that the cars qualify today in the same aero setup that they will run in the Indianapolis 500 next weekend. Also, for today, boost levels will return to race conditions. Given these changes, we have elected to not award points for today’s qualifications.
“Safety for drivers and fans is the top priority for INDYCAR and we will continue to be proactive in our research and development to improve all safety aspects of our sport.”
Today’s revised schedule:
1:30 – 2 p.m. – Group 1 practice
2 – 2:30 p.m. – Group 2 practice
*Note: No guaranteed green flag time
2:45 p.m. – Group 1 in tech line
3:15 p.m. – Group 2 in tech line
3:15 p.m. – Indianapolis 500 qualifications (all cars, one time through)
30 minutes following conclusion of qualifying – Group 2 qualifying (Pos. 31-33 and unqualified cars)
*Note: There will be no Fast Nine Shootout
MANUFACTURER STATEMENTS
Here’s a statement from Art St.Cyr, president, Honda Performance Development, regarding the changes instituted today for Indianapolis 500 qualifying:
“Even though we have every confidence in our design, we support INDYCAR in their efforts to improve safety.”
Here’s a statement from Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President Performance Vehicles and Motorsports:
“Chevrolet met with IndyCar this morning and the decision was made to run race-level aerodynamics and engine boost during qualifying in an effort to reduce speeds and increase downforce. We continue to review all available data from the crashes. Safety is our priority.”
11:45 a.m. ET: It’s been a chaotic morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since Ed Carpenter’s crash, and we have some level of update, although not a fully official one.
First, here is the latest updated schedule, per IMS.
The updated schedule comes after a frantic morning where a series of meetings have occurred via the INDYCAR trailer between both Chevrolet and Honda officials, with INDYCAR officials, as all parties are trying to figure out the course of action from here regarding safety with the new aero kits and changes to the cars.
Per Indianapolis ABC affiliate reporter Dave Furst, also a member of the IMS Radio Network, INDYCAR has made the decision to drop the extra qualifying boost (130 kPa back instead of the 140 kPa, which increases horsepower), and also for the Chevrolet teams to take the sidepod wheel ramps off.
The wheel ramps were the new aero kit part tested by Chevrolet during the week.
Additionally, it appears teams will have to race in the aerodynamic trim they will qualify with. More here from RACER.com’s Marshall Pruett and Robin Miller.
Meanwhile, as media gathered outside the INDYCAR trailer at IMS, reporters on the ground indicated that they were told to move away from the trailer. See a tweet from Indianapolis Star reporter Curt Cavin below:
Here is the scene outside the trailer:
As both Honda and Chevrolet teams met with INDYCAR, there were some driver tweets that began to emerge. See tweets below from Honda drivers Graham Rahal, Gabby Chaves and Conor Daly:
We have also had two key interviews of note. First was IMS President J. Douglas Boles issuing an update to the PA system:
“Had this been a one off we wouldn’t be as worried as we are right now. We have had 3 of them.
“The cars have come in, hit the wall.
“What we are trying to do right now, the best we can and INDYCAR can ensure this is not going to continue to happen.
“We are letting the INDYCAR folks and engineers know how to do that.
“I’m hoping in the next 10-15 minutes we will know what we’re going to do to go forward.
“I’m staying in touch with INDYCAR guys. Fans want to see racing action. I will stay in touch. But apologize for the delay in voice.
“If we can make it safer, that is what we are trying to do.”
Here was Carpenter then, speaking to NBCSN IndyCar pit reporter Kevin Lee, this weekend working with the IMS Radio Network.
“Really immediately I’m thinking what does this mean for my chances to get in the Indianapolis 500? It didn’t feel like a hard hit. It looks bad. I was just thinking am I able to get in the race? The whole CFH team – unfortunately twice in a week – has to put together a new car. They put another new car together in 2 and a half hours. Waiting to see the schedule. At this point I’m optimistic we’ll make the next practice.
“We had a meeting. I’m not going to comment until they make a statement. All the Chevy owners. We thought what we thought would be a direction. Honda has been 2 or 3 times longer. We’re waiting to see the decision after that meeting.
“The delays aren’t hurting us at the moment.
“I’m not sure who came to who. I’m not sure who asked for a meeting. I got asked to go over there.”
