Racing News: Indy 500 Adopts Shootout Style Qualifying

SHOOTOUT STYLE: The Indianapolis 500 will adopt a new “shootout-style” qualifying format this year, which includes the fastest nine drivers taking part in a 90-minute “shootout” qualifying session for the Indianapolis 500 pole on May 22.

HENDRICK BOUND: Kasey Kahne will join Hendrick Motorsports for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign as the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet. His plans for the 2011 season remain unknown.

DENIED: Don Whittington, a former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner who spent time in jail on a number of charges, recently lost a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. He was trying to regain possession of the car he co-drove to victory at Le Mans in 1979.

NEW IN TOWN: Adams-Hansen Inc. has purchased Rice Lake Speedway, a third-mile clay oval in Wisconsin, from former owners Smith-Bisonette Inc.

TEAM ANNOUNCED: The complete ICONIC IZOD IndyCar Series Advisory Committee has been revealed. Retired Air Force Gen. William R. Looney will mediate the committee and be joined by Brian Barnhart, Gil de Ferran, Tony Purnell, Eddie Gossage, Neil Ressler, Tony Cotman and Rick Long.

WELCOME TO ORLANDO: The International Council of Motorsport Sciences will hold its annual congressional meeting in the days leading up to the 2010 edition of the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, December 7–8.

STEWART TO RACE AT ELDORA: The USAC Coca-Cola Sprint Classic that was postponed because of track conditions and wet weather has been rescheduled for May 12 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Track owner Tony Stewart will race in the UMP modified class during the event.

FOUR-WIDE AGAIN: The National Hot Rod Association has announced it will return to zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, for the second annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in 2011.

BAN LOWERED: Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds have had their FIA bans lowered by the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Both will be allowed to return to Formula One in 2013 and back into any other FIA-sanctioned series in 2012.

HE’S BACK: Paul Tracy will team with KV Racing Technology and sponsor Geico for a return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500 this May.

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