INDYCAR has updated its parameters for replacement drivers for the Indianapolis 500 next month.

The Indianapolis-based sanctioning body recently informed teams that a replacement driver would be eligible with the following parameters:

• A replacement driver will only be considered if the primary (entered) driver is also participating in another marquee event with the driver's principal racing series on Indianapolis 500 race day.
• The INDYCAR-approved veteran replacement driver is eligible for and passes the Indianapolis Motor Speedway refresher program in the entry during the first day of Indianapolis 500 practice.
• Additional tires for the refresher program will not be allowed for the Indianapolis 500 entry. The tire allotment for each entrant is 32 sets for the event. Any tires used for the refresher program will be taken from the allotted tires to that entry.
• During the refresher program, minimal setup changes will be allowed.
• After the replacement driver completes the required phases of the refresher program, additional laps during the session will not be permitted.
• Once INDYCAR is notified that a team will use its replacement driver for the Indianapolis 500, the entry's qualified position is forfeited, and the car will start at the rear of the starting lineup and ordered according to Rule 8.1.8.6.
• A qualified driver, who is officially replaced by the team, may return and compete with that entry provided the replacement driver has not participated in a session other than the refresher program. The car's starting position will remain at the rear of the field with the starting lineup ordered according to Rule 8.1.8.6.

Although not explicitly stated, the updated rules will likely only impact one team, Arrow McLaren, which is fielding a car for NASCAR-regular Kyle Larson for the second straight year. Larson is attempting to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, which is contested on the same day, Sunday, May 25, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

Should the Indianapolis 500 be affected by weather, the updated rules would allow Arrow McLaren to have an eligible driver to replace Larson in the car.

For more information, visit indycar.com.