Greenflagfliesonthefinalrestart 107thrunningoftheindianapolis500presentedbygainbridge By Waltkuhn Refimagewithoutwatermark M82886
The final restart of the 107th Indianapolis 500. (Penske Entertainment: Walt Kuhn)

IndyCar To Change Indianapolis 500 Restart Procedure

INDIANAPOLIS – To avoid a potential catastrophe at the end of pit road, IndyCar is changing the restart procedure for Sunday’s 108th Indianapolis 500.

IndyCar informed race teams of the procedural update ahead of the 108th Indianapolis 500 during Friday’s driver’s meeting on Carb Day.

The dashed white line from the exit of Turn 4 to the pit entry attenuator will be officiated for Sunday’s race. Cars that have left-side tires past the dashed line will be penalized unless entering the pit lane, for incident avoidance or in an obvious attempt to avoid a closed pit lane and return to the racetrack.

 

Under IndyCar penalty guidelines, IndyCar can impose penalties that include:

  • Drive-through penalty
  • If after the race, a time penalty equal to a drive-through penalty
  • If under yellow condition, the car is ordered to the rear of the restart lineup

Consistent with its use at other NTT IndyCar Series events, EM Motorsport light panels positioned around the track will illuminate all flag conditions, including green, to supplement the traditional cloth flag waved at the start-finish line for both starts and restarts. 

The EM Motorsports light panels are mounted in addition to the traditional track condition lights used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The restart procedure will be changed. The 2024 restart line designated in the last corner will not be implemented in the Indy 500.

As in previous years, cars could begin racing (including passing) at the declaration of a green condition.

The 2024 IndyCar rulebook will be updated to reflect these changes later Friday.