Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

IMSA restructures points system, introduces qualifying points

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will introduce points for qualifying as part of a restructured scoring system next season. 

#7 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, DPi: Helio Castroneves, Ricky Taylor, #6 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, DPi: Juan Pablo Montoya, Dane Cameron, #31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi, DPi: Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Filipe Albuquerque, crash, start

#7 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, DPi: Helio Castroneves, Ricky Taylor, #6 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, DPi: Juan Pablo Montoya, Dane Cameron, #31 Whelen Engineering Racing Cadillac DPi, DPi: Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr, Filipe Albuquerque, crash, start

Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images

The pole winner in each of the North American championship's classes will be awarded 35 points, with 32 for second place and 30 for third. 

The system mirrors IMSA's current scoring rules for the races, with points theoretically available down to 30th position in class.  

Each manufacturer’s highest-qualifying car also will earn points toward the manufacturers’ championship.

An increase in race points by a multiple of 10 for next season will go hand in hand with the new development.

That means race winners will be awarded 350 points down to 10 points for 30th position. 

IMSA boss John Doonan said: “The introduction of qualifying points will bring even more excitement to our event weekends and the season championship. 

“With points on the line, we expect teams will go all out in qualifying as well as the races to earn as many points as possible. 

"Qualifying points also will reward a team’s performance throughout an entire weekend.”

There will also be a new qualifying procedure for the Pro-Am categories, namely LMP2, GTD and the LMP3 class, which is being introduced into the main IMSA series for next season. The sessions will be split into two and shared between a pair of drivers. The time set by the amateur driver will determine the qualifying position of the car, while the professionals will fight for the championship points on offer. 

Doonan said: “Including multiple drivers in qualifying for our Pro-Am classes provides some unique opportunities.

“The Am drivers will continue to play the ultimate role of establishing each car’s starting position, while the pro drivers should contribute to further showcasing each car’s performance.”

Qualifying in the Daytona Prototype international and GT Le Mans divisions will remain unchanged, with a single driver setting the time. 

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Tony Kanaan’s top 10 races – in his own words
Next article IMSA reveals 2021 schedule, LMP3 to join WeatherTech series

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA