The IndyCar Series will use heat races for qualifying at Iowa Speedway this year.
First-year race director Beaux Barfield tells The Associated Press the heat races are a trial for something the series could implement at certain ovals in 2013.
The IndyCar Series currently uses single-car qualifying on ovals, and three rounds of qualifications on road and street courses.
Qualifying for the June 22 race at Iowa will consist of three 30-lap heats, and the field in each heat will be set by practice times. One heat will determine the top 10 starting spots, the other two heats will determine odd-numbered starting positions 11 to 31 and even-numbered starting positions for 12 to 32.
The series will revert to single-car qualifying for the season finale at Auto Club Speedway in California.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
