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The Heat is on for the Iowa Corn Indy 250!

22/06/2012

The starting lineup for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 wil be decided by three 30-lap heat races

The qualification groups for each of the heats will be determined by lap times set by the driver on the .875-mile oval in the 2 practice sessions on Friday June 22nd.

Heat 1 will consist of the drivers setting the even-numbered positions in the practice, starting with the 10th quickest practice time. The final positions in the heat will determine the even-numbered positions in the starting field from 10th down.

Heat 2 will consist of the drivers setting the odd-numbered positions in the practice, starting with the 9th quickest practice time, and determine the odd-numbered positions in the starting field from 9th down.

Heat 3 will consist of drivers ranked one through eight in the 2nd practice. The results of Heat 3 will determine the first four rows, with the winner taking the pole position.

Is is anticipated that each of the qualifying Heats will be 12-14 minutes duration. Cars will carry about one-third of the E85 fuel load, which shouldn't impact tire wear or the car's consistency with its maximum 37-degree rear wing flap angle on the compound banking.

"Even though Iowa is a 7/8-mile track, it races a lot more like a mile-and-a-half superspeedway than it does a short track," said Ryan Hunter-Reay, who won the Milwaukee IndyFest Presented by XYQ at the Milwaukee Mile on June 16. "It's high-banked, so it's a reset from Milwaukee, which is flat. You really have to have a superspeedway mentality to race there.

"I'm interested to see what we have with the new car and new downforce. With the qualifying heats, it's going to be mixed up. It's tough because you'll really have to take it easy and not hurt your race car in a heat race."

Andretti Autosport drivers have won the past three short oval events: Hunter-Reay at Milwaukee and New Hampshire (August 2011) and Marco Andretti at Iowa (June 2011).

"Certainly, there's a bit of an unknown going into this race and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out," said James Hinchcliffe, who's second in the championship standings. "I think it's cool we're trying something different and we'll see if this format is the right way to do it. We won't know until we get out there and give it a run.

"It puts a lot of emphasis on practice. It does change our focus a bit; in practice we are trying to set up for our race cars and be sure we have the best car over a distance. Now for session two we have to focus on making it quick for at least one lap to get into a good group for the heat races. I think everyone is anxious and excited to see how it plays out."