IMS chief defends schedule changes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The head of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is defending a schedule change for May.

On Tuesday 24 Hour News 8 confirmed that opening day at the track has been pushed back to May 15th, and will go to a 2-day qualifying format.

CEO Jeff Belskus said, in reality, they're not losing much track activity. Belskus said it works out to only one fewer day of action on the track.

He went on to say the schedule change will help racing teams and the track save some money, but, he said that was a secondary consideration. "It's about intensity and it's about track activity and it's, you know, we want our fans to see race cars, see activity,” said Belskus. “This format you're assured that that qualifying weekend it's gonna be non-stop action," said Belskus.

Opening Day is now May 15th, a week later than normal. Practices will run for a full week before Pole Day on May 22nd. Bump Day is May 23rd.

That leaves Monday and Tuesday the 24th and 25th open in case rain messes with qualifications.

Race week remains unchanged ahead of the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30th.