From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, underlined items have links:
"This will be the first occasion in which the race is broadcast by NBC Sports after 54 years of being broadcast by ABC. It will be the first time NBC has been at the race since NBC Radio covered the event in 1939. Will Power is the defending champion.
News
- Gainbridge signed a multiyear contract to be the presenting sponsor of the race beginning in 2019.
- NTT signed a multi-year deal to become the title sponsor for the IndyCar Series, replacing Verizon.
- Firestone signed an extension to remain as the sole tire supplier through the 2025 season.
- Cars will be permitted one of two optional Gurney flaps atop the rear wing to increase downforce. A 3⁄8 inch tall flap, either 13.2 inches wide or 24.5 inches wide, can be affixed to generate 50-100 pounds of downforce.[5]
- Marathon Petroleum replaces Sunoco as the official fuel provider beginning in 2019, using the Speedway brand.
- All cars will be fitted with the Advanced Frontal Protection (AFP) device for cockpit protection. The AFP is a vertical, titanium device measuring 3 inches (76 mm) by 0.75 inches (19 mm), resembling a fin, mounted to the leading edge of the cockpit.[7]
Following incidents during the 2018 qualifying format, the Speedway made a slight change to the first day and a significant change.
- Positions 10 to 30 will be set in first day qualifying.
- Only Positions 1-9 will requalify in Sunday qualifying.
- Cars that finished 31st and below in Saturday qualifying will have one attempt to qualify starting as 12:15 PM Sunday. Only three positions will be available, and the three fastest four-lap qualifying times will make the field.
- Cars that finished first to ninth in Saturday will have one attempt to qualify starting at 1:15 PM Sunday. The starting field from 1-9, and NTT IndyCar Series points for qualifying, will be based on results from this qualifying session.
- After pole qualifying, the practice session after qualifying will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday for a three-hour session.
- Should rain interfere with Sunday qualifying, no session will be held."