IndyCar Drivers Still Can’t Agree on Push-to-Pass Rules

IndyCar Drivers Still Can’t Agree on Push-to-PassMichael L. Levitt - Getty Images

Maybe it’s getting worse, this NTT IndyCar Series debate about the newly revised Push-to-Pass rules.

Following qualifying Saturday morning for the afternoon’s Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a reporter asked Alex Palou—pole sitter, points leader, and winner at three of the year’s first five races—and No. 2 starter Pato O’Ward, “Gentlemen, since Thursday’s press conference, have you all had a little more clarity on the push-to-pass rule?”

Plainly, the answer is no. Here’s how Saturday’s debate unfolded, after a chaotic Friday confab:

PATO O'WARD: I mean, I think they clarified what action is going to get taken in case it is, like, happy pushed, but I don’t think there’s really a scenario where it can be anymore, because it’s probably just going to be on all the time. So, yeah, I can’t wait for the scenario where it’s, like, oh, someone had Push-to-Pass in the start, but who knows (laughing). THE MODERATOR: It would be pretty rare for sure, right?
PALOU: Yeah, I mean, I still— O’WARD: It’s going to be today (laughing). PALOU: No, no, I mean, that would be good for me, so I can tuck behind him and just get towed up. No, it’s clear now, but you were saying it’s a rule. You know you—
O**’WARD:** The problem was it wasn’t a rule.

Alex Palou.Michael L. Levitt - Getty Images

PALOU: Correct, but you were saying it was the rule. O’WARD: Yeah, I think it was more a gentlemen’s agreement of like— PALOU: What? O’WARD: Yeah. PALOU: Like, come on, you knew. What do I knew? That it was not enabled. Not that you cannot use it— Yeah, oh, it’s not enabled. Okay, that’s it, end of the story. Gentlemen’s agreement.