IndyCar announces new Indy 500 Rookie Orientation dates
"With some teams having to load equipment for Brazil following the Long Beach event next week, and long-standing community activities scheduled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway prior to Opening Day, moving ROP to Opening Weekend was the only option we had to give the ROP participants adequate track time and a chance to complete the program," said Brian Barnhart, president of operations and strategy, INDYCAR.
The on-track schedule of activity for May 11-12:
Noon-2 p.m. – Track open to all cars
2-4 p.m. – Rookie Orientation Program
4-6 p.m. – Track open to all cars
AJ Allmendinger (Team Penske), Conor Daly (A.J. Foyt Racing), Carlos Munoz (Andretti Autosport) and Tristan Vautier (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports) are scheduled to participate in the Rookie Orientation Program, which is designed to provide first-year Indianapolis 500 drivers with an informal opportunity to get acquainted with the 2.5-mile oval through laps turned at three speed phases set by INDYCAR.
INDYCAR officials will work with any driver unable to participate in ROP during the opening weekend to schedule a time to complete the three phases of ROP prior to qualifying.