P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The double-points rule at the Indianapolis 500 – dropped for 2023 – has always been divisive given its potential to affect the end-of-year outcome. Had it been retained for 2023, how different would the final IndyCar standings have looked?
controversial move, IndyCar decided to eliminate the double-points rule for the Indianapolis 500 in 2023. Josef Newgarden, who had previously expressed dislike for the rule, realized that winning the Indy 500 might not guarantee him the championship. This year, Newgarden won the Indy 500 on his 12th attempt, but the absence of double points did not significantly change the outcome of the season. Alex Palou continued his dominant year and would have still beaten Newgarden comfortably even if double points were awarded. However, Newgarden would have finished third instead of fifth in the overall standings. The absence of double points did make the final four races more interesting, as Newgarden would have been closer to Palou in points. Despite the controversy, Palou’s brilliance was not hampered by the elimination of the rule, and the focus shifted to the Leaders Circle, where full-time entrants received a significant payout.
