OPEN WHEEL AMERICA

The IZOD IndyCar Series first adopted a variation of its current points system in 1998. Previously, it had awarded 35 points to the winner, 33 to second, 32 to third, and so on down the line. In 1998, the winner began to receive 50 points, second place 40, third place 35, and much of the same system for higher-ranked drivers. In 2004, instead of dwindling down to 1 point for 29th and worse, IndyCar halted the points dropoff at 18th place, awarding 12 points to each driver between 18th and 24th, and 10 points between 25th and 33rd.

In CART, the last points system used awarded points only to the top 12 drivers in the race, in a 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 fashion. When CART became Champ Car in 2004, it adopted a new points system, awarding 31 points to the winner, 27 to second, 25 to third, and dwindling to award points to the top 20.

The new points system I am proposing will not maintain the IndyCar tradition of awarding points to every driver, instead only awarding to the top 15. As in all recent open-wheel systems, the winner receives a significant points advantage over second, third, and so forth.

1. 40 points
2. 35 points
3. 30 points
4. 25 points
5. 20 points
6. 16 points
7. 12 points
8. 10 points
9. 8 points
10. 6 points
11. 5 points
12. 4 points
13. 3 points
14. 2 points
15. 1 point

The Indianapolis 500, as the flagship race of the IZOD IndyCar Series and easily its most recognizable event, deserves special points consideration. With the added pressure on drivers to make the race, the 33 drivers fast enough to qualify deserve a bonus in the standings for their efforts. Now that qualifying only takes place over two days, it is easy to divide who receives what; Pole Day qualifiers receive two points, while Bump Day qualifiers receive one. Reflecting the new pole shootout for the top nine drivers, however, extra special consideration will be given; qualifiers 7-9 receive three points, qualifiers 4-6 receive four points, qualifiers 2-3 receive five points, and the polesitter receives 10 points.

The race itself draws far more viewers than any other event on the schedule, and drivers should be compensated as such. Again, only the top 15 will receive points, but each will receive double the points they would have at any other race. This further emphasizes the importance of Indy, and can give any surprise strong finishers a huge boost in points.