Indy 500 qualifying boost levels same as last year

INDYCAR officials confirmed that the boost levels for the 2.2-liter turbo-charged V-6 engines utilized by the IZOD IndyCar Series will remain unchanged for the 97th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

As with the 2012 race, the boost level will be upped from 130 kPa to 140 kPa for "Fast Friday" on May 17 and Pole Day qualifications May 18 and Bump Day qualifications on May 19.

"What we had last year worked really well for the full sequence of the Month of May," said Will Phillips, INDYCAR vice president for technology. "With the car performance progressing incrementally through natural development of the chassis and aerodynamics, lap speeds are expected to increase in qualifying."

The change in pressure adds about a 40 horsepower boost to the engines produced by Chevrolet (twin-turbocharged Chevy IndyCar V6) and Honda (single turbo-charged Honda HI13R). The boost level for Race Day will return to 130 kPa for final practice on Carb Day on May 24 and the 500-mile race on May 26.