IndyCar is moving forward with an adjusted version of its single-car qualifying format in the Firestone Fast Six for the remaining four street circuit races of the 2026 season, beginning this weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Introduced last month in the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, the traditional knockout style of Segments 1 and 2 dwindled down to six competitors taking part in single-car, single-lap qualifying runs as part of the fight for pole in the Fast Six.
As part of the announcement by IndyCar to continue the format for the street rounds, it has been tweaked. Now, the choice of the qualifying order of the Fast Six will be based on the fastest qualifiers from Segment 2, with the quickest allowed to choose when to make their pole-trying run; subsequent choices will be made for the remaining positions based on Segment 2 results. Additionally, teams will be required to make their tire selection, the harder primary tires or the softer alternate compound, prior to lining up single-file and in order of their respective qualifying run at pit out while awaiting a qualifying attempt.
Those competing in the Fast Six will leave pit lane with a single lap opportunity, beginning and ending at the alternate start/finish line. Once the car enters pit lane following that driver’s attempt, the next car will be released for its attempt.
As in the streets of Arlington event, tire allotments and tire rules will remain unchanged. Single-car Fast SIx qualifications following Long Beach will take place at Detroit, Markham (Ontario, Canada), and Washington, D.C.
Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global
Photo by: Penske Entertainment
The move to single-car Fast Six qualifying is designed to create a greater opportunity to spotlight and translate the challenge and expertise required by IndyCar Series teams and drivers competing for the top positions on the starting grid.
“The debut of single-car Firestone Fast Six qualifying in Arlington was extremely popular and well received,” IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway 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.”
As in Arlington, if the Fast Six single-car qualifying segment is impacted by weather or conditions that cause significant track surface change from one attempt to another, IndyCar will have the option to revert to the standard Fast Six procedures that would feature all competitors on track vying for pole in a standard time window. Additionally, IndyCar can use the results from Segment 2 to set the starting lineup for the race.
Following the 2026 season, IndyCar will again evaluate the updated qualifying format to determine its use and implementation in 2027.
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