Points system changes for 04

Under the new rules, any car that finishes between 19th and 24th in a race will now score 12 points, with cars finishing between 25th and 33rd scoring 10. The driver who leads the most laps will be awarded three points, instead of the two previously given.

"There were two major reasons for adjusting the championship scoring system," said IRL senior vice-president of racing operations Brian Barnhart. "We felt the points awarded for positions 29-33 was too low, particularly if it involved a full-time IndyCar Series team.

"Second, by adjusting the points for positions 19-24, teams who had suffered car damage would not feel compelled to get back on the track and run for points. This, like the other technical changes announced, will make our sport safer for the driver."

The changes in the technical regulations will see cars run with a smaller fuel tank (30 gallons, down from 35), and components supplied to the teams by the IRL must be used "as-is."

On tracks over a mile in length, excluding Indianapolis, cars will be required to run with a vertical wicker strip on the rear wing, which are designed to cut speeds. Finally, the IRL has defined the length of the entry and exit slots that teams are required on airboxes for the first three races of the season.