IndyCar adjusts race distances

IndyCar has adjusted the race distances for four of its 2013 events to try and ensure flat-out racing rather than fuel-economy runs.

The St Petersburg, Milwaukee and Mid-Ohio rounds will be increased by 10, 25 and five laps respectively.

Long Beach drops from 85 to 80 laps, making the race just 157.4 miles in distance.

Race director Beaux Barfield believes revised race lengths should make fuel-saving strategies less viable at those venues.

“Changing the distances at these races will hopefully eliminate the strategy of saving fuel from the drop of the green flag,” said Barfield.

“That will enable our teams and drivers to race hard for the full distance and improve the events’ entertainment value for the fans.”

2013 IndyCar schedule:
 
24 March     St Petersburg (street)
 7 April      Barber (road)
 21 April     Long Beach (street)
 5 May        Sao Paulo (street)
 26 May       Indianapolis 500 (oval, triple crown)
 1 June       Detroit (street)
 2 June       Detroit (street)
 8 June       Texas (oval, night)
 15 June      Milwaukee (oval)
 23 June      Iowa (oval)
 7 July       Pocono (oval, triple crown)
 13 July      Toronto (street)
 14 July      Toronto (street)
 4 August     Mid-Ohio (road)
 25 August    Sonoma (road)
 1 September  Baltimore (street)
 5 October    Houston (street)
 6 October    Houston (street)
 19 October   Fontana (oval, night, triple crown)

Source: http://www.iracing.com/inracingnews/real-world-racing/indycar-news/indycar/indycar-adjusts-race-distances

Juan Jover Oswald Karch Narain Karthikeyan Ukyo Katayama Ken Kavanagh