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How IndyCar qualifying works

Published March 24, 2012

How IndyCar qualifying works

Qualifying on road and street courses is divided into three segments.

The cars are split into two groups. Each group gets 20 minutes of track time, including caution flags. The six fastest from each group advance. The rest are placed on the grid from 13 on back. (Odd-numbered grid positions come from the first group.)

The 12 cars left have 15 minutes for the second segment. The six fastest reach the final segment. The rest fill grid spots 7-12.

The last segment is 10 minutes with at least five minutes guaranteed under a green flag. The fastest qualifier gets the pole, the second-fastest shares the front row and so on.