INDIANAPOLIS — IndyCar has announced an update for Push to Pass usage for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT by Firestone.
Beginning with this week’s events on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, Push to Pass – a driver-controlled system that provides roughly 60 extra horsepower via increased turbocharger boost – will be available and allowed for use at all times once the car passes the alternate start-finish line following the start and once the green flag has been displayed.
Expanded availability, which now includes use on race restarts, will provide teams and drivers additional tools and overtake possibilities during the crucial moments of race restarts. The rule prohibiting passing prior to the restart line remains in effect.
“The Push to Pass software failure at the Streets of Long Beach allowed IndyCar an opportunity to fully review the rules of the system and consider any improvements, including leaving Push to Pass available on restarts,” IndyCar President Doug Boles said. “Push to Pass is a driver and team enhancement, which has evolved since its introduction in 2009, and – working with stakeholders – we believe it’s time for this additional update.
“While maybe ironic on how we transitioned to this procedural revision, we look forward to seeing how this new opportunity to use Push to Pass will enhance strategy and the potential for even more wheel-to-wheel action.”
Push to Pass timing parameters, including time and maximum time per push, remain unchanged.
The update comes as IndyCar Officiating, in a separate announcement, provided its findings following a thorough review of the Push to Pass software failure, corrective measures and other rule updates.
“This has been a superb example of IndyCar Officiating and IndyCar working together to provide our sport outcomes that will greatly benefit on-track competition,” Boles said. “We are confident in the update to the software and are gratified with the outcome of this full review.”
