The NTT IndyCar Series has made an adjustment to its oval restart practices in the wake of the crash-filled return to green at the recent World Wide Technology Raceway event won by Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden.
Leading late in the 260-lap contest, Newgarden chose to wait until the end of the restart zone coming out of WWTR’s Turn 4 to accelerate — to the point where race control went green before the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner chose to go — and afterwards, there were questions as to whether Newgarden drove past the end of the zone before increasing his speed.
THEY WRECK ON THE RESTART!
The red flag is out at @WWTRaceway.
📺: #Bommarito500 on USA and Peacock pic.twitter.com/kychxIEmbE
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) August 18, 2024
In reaction to the confusion stemming from WWTR, IndyCar has painted a new line on the racing surface at the Milwaukee Mile, site of this weekend’s Hy-Vee Milwaukee doubleheader, which marks the end of the restart zone.
Done to provide clarity to drivers and officials as to where the restart zone terminates, the series informed the paddock of the development Friday morning. No other changes to restart procedures have been made.
IndyCar will continue the practice at the season finale in two weeks’ time at Nashville Speedway and could make the zone-ending stripe a standard item at future ovals.