3-abreast start at Indy 500 making a comeback? Take 2?

[Justhalc]

I know Mari wanted it this way last year and it didn't happen, so let's see if it does this year.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20110310/SPORTS0107/103100441/1052/SPORTS01/Notebook-Classic-3-abreast-start-returns-Indy-500

IndyCar's starter will not wave the green flag to begin or resume races until the front row is within about 300 yards of the starting line. The cars will be traveling about 60 mph at that point, which means the formation will be more closely packed.

[indyracefan]

I like the idea of 3-abreast, I don't care for the 60mph start. Leave it to Barnhart to reiterate that cautions breed cautions.

[No_Fenders]

A little birdie told me that BB has been TOLD that we WILL have the 3 abreast start - or else. Same birdie was told BB is fighting back over it.

[Grizzlor]

So double wide restarts are going to be used on road courses? What a mess that will be.

[No_Fenders]

So double wide restarts are going to be used on road courses? What a mess that will be.

Last year's Edmonton fiasco x 8

[Shadow101]

Why do they have to be at 60 MPH? How about a 100 MPH three wide rolling start; or some other intermediate speed that would minimize the dreadful wheelspin and other calamities that Barnhart dreams about in his sleep?

[GreenFlag]

The 3-abreast start is one of the most important and unique features of the Indy 500. In recent years we just haven't seen it. Furthermore most of the starts in Indy car racing have been very poor in the last years. imo that's what they should have fixed first instead of adding NASCAR gimmicks.

[indyracefan]

The 3-abreast start is one of the most important and unique features of the Indy 500. In recent years we just haven't seen it. Furthermore most of the starts in Indy car racing have been very poor in the last years. imo that's what they should have fixed first instead of adding NASCAR gimmicks.

+1.

[Heath Hamilton]

60 mph sucks. These are the best drivers in the world....Surely they can handle driving into turn one at speed. I can take the turns on 90/94 south of Chicago at 90mph!!

[Snow61]

Please read the article. The Indy 500 has always been 33 cars. 11 rows of 3. The start of the race used to be that the field had to be in formation to cross the starting line. IF the cars were not in formation the green flag was waived off and the pace car did not leave the track and took the cars around again. As Greenflag stated the starts have been poor in the last years.

The article also states they will not begin or resume the race until the front row is within 300 yds of the start/finish line and will be traveling about 60 mph. That means once the flag is waived, they have 300 yds before they hit the start/finish line. They will be well up to speed by the time they cross the line and well before they enter the first turn.

At least that is how I read it.

[Gomer Simpson]

The starts absolutely need to be fixed, but it seems to me like they're trying to cut a hangnail with a diamond-tipped commercial wet-saw. Just let the friggin' pace car lead the field around. It worked for a long time.

[readgols]

To increase the chances of this actually happening, Helio needs to qualify no better than 4th.

[readgols]

The 3-abreast start is one of the most important and unique features of the Indy 500. In recent years we just haven't seen it. Furthermore most of the starts in Indy car racing have been very poor in the last years. imo that's what they should have fixed first instead of adding NASCAR gimmicks.

+2

[Danny Noonan]

BB in his best Kenny Powers voice: "I'm about to have a *&^#ing panic attack. I need four xanax and 2 Miller Lites."

[tomes1978]

Please read the article. The Indy 500 has always been 33 cars. 11 rows of 3. The start of the race used to be that the field had to be in formation to cross the starting line. IF the cars were not in formation the green flag was waived off and the pace car did not leave the track and took the cars around again. As Greenflag stated the starts have been poor in the last years.

The article also states they will not begin or resume the race until the front row is within 300 yds of the start/finish line and will be traveling about 60 mph. That means once the flag is waived, they have 300 yds before they hit the start/finish line. They will be well up to speed by the time they cross the line and well before they enter the first turn.

At least that is how I read it.

That's how I see it. Exactly the way it use to be.