IndyCar doubles points for 500-mile races as part of 2014 overhaul
IndyCar has doubled the points awarded for its 500-mile races and dropped the practice of applying grid penalties for engine changes as part of a broad overhaul for 2014
Under the new system, which will take effect from next weekend's season-opener at St Petersburg, a win worth 50 points at a regular event will pay 100 points at the Indianapolis 500, Pocono and Fontana, with all other positions also worth double.
Setting the fastest time on the opening day of qualifying for the Indy 500 will pay 33 points, with nine bonus points on offer for the winner of the Fast Nine Shootout.
"Adding more weight to the 500-mile events rewards teams and drivers that continually rise to the occasion at key times of the year," said IndyCar president of competition and operations Derrick Walker.
"We looked at various ways to improve the way we decide our champions, and this will only make the championship battles more exciting."
The format for the manufacturers' championship has also been revised to further reward durability and performance.
Under the enhanced system, manufacturers will earn 10 points for each one of their engines that reaches the 2500 mile threshold mandated by IndyCar during the season, and they will also earn the same double-point payout at the 500-milers as the drivers.
"Fans didn't like seeing drivers receive the 10-grid-spot penalty for engine changes, especially when it was out of the team's control," Walker said.
"With the help from our manufacturers, we are able to enhance our races without adding more confusion to the people who follow the sport."
In place of the former 10-place grid penalty for entries that were subject to an unauthorised engine change, manufacturers will be dealt a 10 point penalty.
Entrant-initiated engine changes will incur a 10-point penalty for both the entrant and the driver.
An unapproved engine change by an entry will result in that entry starting from the rear of the grid at the next race.
No engine change grid penalties will be served at the Indy 500, with all penalties carried into or earned at Indy to be served at the following race.
IndyCar announces car safety upgrades for DW12
Dario Franchitti to drive pace car during 2014 Indianapolis 500
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014