IndyCar Officials Announce Tire Rule Change for IMS Road Course

By David Morgan, Associate Editor

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The NTT IndyCar Series has rolled out a tire rule change leading into next Saturday’s Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

Instead of team’s being required to run just one set of the Firestone alternates (softer compound), they will now be required to use at least two sets of the alternates for next weekend’s race.

Through the first three races of the season, teams have largely abandoned running the alternates more than required due to the negative effects of the added weight from the hybrid unit and an alternate tire that wears faster this season as a result.

Along with the two sets of alternates, teams will be required to run at least two sets of the primary Firestones during the event. To satisfy the new rule, drivers must run at least two laps on each respective set, with one of those laps beginning after the green flag is displayed to the leaders.

“The update strives to ensure an all-out, driving on the limit, thrilling and entertaining product for fans and generate even more strategic challenges for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series,” INDYCAR said in its release announcing the change.

“INDYCAR is continually looking into ways to improve an already extraordinary on-track product,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles added. “Firestone is a terrific partner, and their higher degradation alternate tire has given strategists plenty to think about on road and street circuits this year. We expect this update will challenge teams and drivers even more.”

The total tire allocation for the weekend will be five sets of primaries and four sets of alternates for the teams to have at their disposal.

In addition, the second practice session will be adjusted from a guaranteed 45 minutes of green flag activity to 35 minutes.

After the weekend on the IMS Road Course, series officials will evaluate both changes and determine its viability for future use.

The Sonsio Grand Prix is scheduled for a 4:30 pm ET start on FOX.