IRL revises points, format and fields

Thursday, Nov. 6, 1997 | 9:55 a.m.

The Indy Racing League will have a new point system, race weekend format and minimum starting fields for its 11-race series in 1998 -- except at the Indianapolis 500.

The changes include provisional starting spots at the other 10 races, the IRL announced Wednesday.

The winner of each race will get 50 points toward the series championship, decreasing to one point for 29th place and below. In addition, the pole starter will receive three bonus points, the second-place starter will get two points, the No. 3 starter will get one point, and the top lap leader will get two points.

At Indianapolis, the field will be limited to the fastest 33 qualifiers, with no provisional starting spots or IRL guarantees.

The races on the IRL's 1-mile tracks -- at Orlando; Phoenix; Loudon, N.H.; Dover, Del.; and Fountain, Colo. -- will have 26 starters plus two provisionals. The 1 1/2 -mile tracks -- at Fort Worth, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Atlanta and Las Vegas -- will have 30 starters and two provisionals.