Firestone Fast 6 Extends to Remaining IndyCar Street Courses

The format for the NTT IndyCar Series’ Firestone Fast Six will continue through the final four street courses starting this weekend at Long Beach, IndyCar announced April 13.

This particular format featuring single-car, single-lap qualifying in the final round debuted at Arlington.

The fastest qualifier from the second segment will first choose what position they want to make their lap in (whether they go out first, last or somewhere in between).

Then, before they go out for the Fast Six, they’ll choose whether they want to run primary or alternate tire.

“The debut of single-car Firestone Fast Six qualifying in Arlington was extremely popular and well received,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “Following the event, we reached out to stakeholders to help evaluate the format and look into ways to improve an already exciting session. This slight update will provide the fastest from the Top 12 an earned advantage of choosing when they would like their run in the Fast Six, while tire selection before lining up at pit out will save time and more closely equalize the session.

“With continued input from teams, drivers and our partners at FOX Sports, we believe these updates will further highlight the close competition and perfection it takes to start at the front of the grid.”

If weather or track conditions affect the Fast Six, then INDYCAR will either revert to the normal format with all drivers attempting to make the pole over a timed session, or they’ll use the results from Segment Two to set the starting lineup.

Qualifying from Long Beach runs on Saturday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach airs Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on FOX.