The NTT IndyCar Series has laid out its plan for how it is going to officiate the new rules surrounding the pit lane entrance section of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The rules dictate that drivers must now keep all four tires above a new dashed line on the track that extends out from the pit wall towards Turn 4.
The purpose of the rule is to keep drivers from extreme blocking techniques that have become common in recent years, which led to them momentarily driving straight towards the pit wall before ducking out onto the track again at the last second.
Exceptions will be made for drivers that are avoiding an accident or are attempting to avoid a penalty for entering a closed pit road.
The penalty options for race control were also laid out in Friday’s driver meeting, and make room for a couple different scenarios.
The penalties for a standard infraction include a typical drive-through penalty. Or if the inappropriate maneuver is done on the final lap, a time penalty equal to a drive-through penalty can be applied to the driver’s finishing time.
If the infraction occurs and a yellow flag comes out shortly after, the car will ordered to the rear of the restart lineup.
The details help provide a little bit of clarity around how the new rules will be enforced, and should promote safer driving standards throughout the race.
Other areas of the track, such as the back stretch, are not subject to the new rules. Drivers may block and weave all the way down to the grass on the inside of the tarmac if they wish, though they cannot force another driver off the racing surface.
A separate clarification of the rules states that the new-for-2024 restart line will not be in effect for the Indy 500.
The leader of the race will continue to be able to begin racing at any time after the green flag is thrown on a restart, typically when the drivers are between Turns 3 and 4.
The new rules could change how the leaders defend their position, especially near the end of the race. Marcus Ericsson and Josef Newgarden have each employed moves on the way to winning the most recent Indy 500 races that would now be considered illegal.
It remains to be seen how close drivers push the limits while in the heat of the race, or if anyone will be handed a result-altering penalty.
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