The IndyCar championship has announced an update to its individual qualifying format for the Fast Six, applicable to the last four street circuit races of the 2026 season, starting with the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend.
Recently introduced at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, this new system replaces the traditional segment format to allow the last six drivers to participate in individual qualifying rounds. The change aims to increase excitement and strategy during the competition for pole position.
With the new format, the fastest driver from Segment 2 will have the option to decide when to complete their lap in an attempt to secure the pole. The other drivers will choose their positions based on their Segment 2 times. Additionally, teams will need to select between the harder primary tires or the softer alternate tires before qualifying.
Drivers participating in the Fast Six will exit the pits with the opportunity to make a lap, starting and finishing at an alternative start/finish line. Once a driver has completed their lap, the next will be released to attempt theirs, ensuring an individual focus on speed and skill.
It is important to note that the rules regarding the number of tires and allocation will remain unchanged. This new individual qualifying format for the Fast Six will continue at the races in Detroit, Markham (in Ontario, Canada), and Washington, D.C.
According to J. Douglas Boles, president of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the new system has been well received and aims to highlight the competition and skill of the teams and drivers to secure the best starting positions. After the 2026 season, the organization will evaluate the effectiveness of this format to determine its application in future seasons.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
