The Indy 500 is one of the most iconic events in the motorsport world and has been for over a century. Every year, drivers from around the world compete for the crown of Indy 500 champion. This year, 2023, marks the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500, and the competition has evolved significantly in the past three years. From 2020 to 2023, there have been some major changes in the way drivers qualify for the Indy 500, and the races have seen some of the most exciting finishes in recent memory. Here is a look at some of the biggest changes in the Indy 500 positions that have taken place over the past three years.
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2020: The Return of the Indy 500 After the COVID-19 Shutdown
The 2020 Indy 500 was supposed to be held on May 24th, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After months of uncertainty, the race was eventually held on August 23rd, making it the first major American motorsport event to be held in the wake of the pandemic. This meant that the traditional qualifying format had to be changed, with the starting lineup being determined by a random draw instead. The new format saw several drivers who were not expected to make the cut, such as Sage Karam and Conor Daly, make it into the race. The race was eventually won by Takuma Sato, who became the first Japanese driver to win the Indy 500.
2021: The Return of Qualifying and the Addition of a New Track
In 2021, the Indy 500 returned to its traditional qualifying format, with drivers having to compete for the 33 spots in the race. There was also a major change in the track configuration, with the addition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. This allowed for more passing opportunities and added an extra level of excitement to the competition. Scott Dixon won the 2021 Indy 500, becoming the first driver in history to win the race four times.
2022: The Introduction of the ‘Fast Nine’
In 2022, IndyCar introduced the ‘Fast Nine’ system for qualifying for the Indy 500. This system saw the nine fastest drivers from the four-lap qualifying session advance to the Fast Nine shootout, where they competed for the pole position. The new system added an extra layer of excitement to the race and gave drivers more incentive to push themselves in qualifying. The 2022 Indy 500 was won by Josef Newgarden, who became the first American driver to win the race since 2016.
2023: The Return of the Traditional Qualifying Format
For the 2023 Indy 500, IndyCar decided to revert back to the traditional qualifying format, with all 33 spots in the race being determined by a single-lap qualifying session. This means that the ‘Fast Nine’ system will no longer be in place, and the pole position will once again go to the driver who sets the fastest lap. The 2023 Indy 500 is set to take place on August 29th, and it will be interesting to see if the changes in the qualifying format will have any effect on the race.
Conclusion
The last three years have seen some major changes in the way drivers qualify for the Indy 500. From the introduction of the ‘Fast Nine’ system to the return of the traditional qualifying format, the Indy 500 has become more exciting than ever. With the 2023 race just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how the changes in the qualifying format will affect the outcome of the race. No matter what happens, though, the Indy 500 is sure to be an exciting and exhilarating event.
