Points overhaul for series

The winner will now receive 31 points, as opposed to 20 in recent years. There will still be a point for the top man in Friday and Saturday qualifying and a point for fastest race lap. Drivers can also get a point for leading a lap in the race, and there will be one on offer for the driver who improves the most from his grid position.

"I think this is a good move for the series and will help the drivers a lot," said 2003 Champ Car World Series champion Paul Tracy. "If you've had a day that would have left you out of the points, now you can still get something out of it. It is going to be a very competitive series this year and good finishes are going to be harder to come by so this makes what would have been a bad day, not so bad a day."

Another change is that there will no longer be a point for leading the most laps in the race. The changes have been made to improve the show and make the racing more strategically interesting.

"We firmly believe that this new system will be better for our fans," said Senior Vice-President of Operations John Lopes. "The point for leading a lap will add an element of strategy and the point for fastest lap provides incentive for every driver on every lap, regardless of position."