BREAKING: IndyCar introduces new Push to Pass rules following Long Beach

Credit: Dominic Loyer

Following a software issue during the Grand Prix of Long Beach that allowed Push to Pass to be available during the race restart, IndyCar has updated their regulations surrounding when Push to Pass can be used.

What happened at Long Beach

The Grand Prix of Long Beach had just one caution, after which there was a restart on Lap 61. IndyCar issued a statement after the race which detailed that the Push to Pass feature (the button that gives cars a boost of power to utilize at certain times throughout the race) was, through a software glitch, accidentally made available to drivers on the Lap 61 restart.

While Push to Pass was not allowed during restarts per the regulations, 12 drivers were deemed to have pushed the button and used the power advantage during the race. In a statement by IndyCar officiating that was released today, the 12 drivers were listed: Scott McLaughlin, Nolan Siegel, Kyffin Simpson, Álex Palou, David Malukas, Santino Ferrucci, Graham Rahal, Romain Grosjean, Louis Foster, Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong and Rinus VeeKay.

IndyCar has not penalised any of these drivers, as the software issue was on IndyCar’s side. It was also ruled that the only overtake made by cars using Push to Pass at the restart (Armstrong passing Ferrucci) was still made fairly as both cars utilised the Push to Pass system.

New Regulations

Following the software glitch that popped up in Long Beach, IndyCar has now announced that, effective immediately, Push to Pass will be made available and will be allowed to be used during race restarts. Now, the only time during a race that the Push to Pass button will not work will be during the initial race start.

The statement released by IndyCar officiating about their findings from Long Beach stated: "Following the race, INDYCAR Officiating followed the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Push to Pass rule (Rule 14.19.16.), which placed the burden of the Push to Pass system on the series to assure that the software performed properly. As such, all cars that competed on the Streets of Long Beach were deemed legal and using Push to Pass software that was compliant to the rules."

The change to the rules also now places the responsibility of using Push to Pass correctly in the hands of the drivers and teams, not IndyCar.

Speaking about this new rule, IndyCar President Doug Boles commented: “The Push to Pass software failure at the Streets of Long Beach allowed INDYCAR an opportunity to fully review the rules of the system and consider any improvements, including leaving Push to Pass available on restarts. Push to Pass is a driver and team enhancement, which has evolved since its introduction in 2009, and – working with stakeholders – we believe it’s time for this additional update.

“While maybe ironic on how we transitioned to this procedural revision, we look forward to seeing how this new opportunity to use Push to Pass will enhance strategy and the potential for even more wheel-to-wheel action.”

We will see this new regulation in action this weekend at the Indianapolis Road Course.