Indy 500: James Hinchcliffe's radical idea for the event

James Hinchcliffe, who was bumped out of the field for the 102nd running of the Indy 500 this Sunday, has a radical idea for the event.

The biggest shock of the month so far for IndyCar happened in this past Saturday’s Bump Day qualifying session for the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, which is set to take place this Sunday.

Full-time IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, who drives the #5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda, was bumped from the field. Schmidt Peterson Motorsports were unable to buy him another ride in the race, and he will be forced to sit out of the Indy 500 for the second time in the last four years, as he sat out in 2015 due to near-fatal injuries he suffered in a practice crash for the race less than a week before the event.

Hinchcliffe is one of only two drivers who have not finished lower than ninth place in any of the first five races of the 2018 season. He currently sits in fifth in the championship standings as a result of his consistency.

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However, double points are awarded to all drivers who compete in the Indy 500, meaning that not including bonus points and the points awarded to the top nine qualifiers for the race, 10 drivers will score at least 40 points in the race since 10th place finishers receive 20 points in regular races.

Not including bonus points, only one driver, the race winner, scores more than 40 points in a regular race. Race winners receive 50 points and second place finishers receive 40 points.

Hinchcliffe is fine with the fact that the regular points totals are not awarded to drivers who compete in the Indy 500. However, he believes that instead of double points totals being awarded, no points should be awarded at all. He believes that the Indy 500 should effectively be an exhibition.

Here is what Hinchcliffe had to say about the matter, according to IndyStar.

"“I do not think it should be a points race at all. I’ve never been a supporter of double-points races. This should be an exhibition race for us. This should be our All-Star race, so that way it’s the 33 best teams and drivers, so that way you don’t have to worry about the contractual commitments to sponsors.“There’s less impetuous for them to have to force someone in the show to go out. I think this should be an exhibition race where anyone who wants to can show up for any try and run and go for it. I don’t think it should affect the outcome of someone’s full season because this race is not on par with the other races in the championship.”"

Next: Top 10 Indianapolis 500 drivers of all-time

Do you agree with James Hinchcliffe’s opinion that the Indianapolis 500 should be an exhibition race that has no effect on the IndyCar championship battle, or do you think it should affect the championship battle like it does now?

Indy 500: James Hinchcliffe’s radical idea for the event

By Asher Fair | May 24, 2018

James Hinchcliffe, who was bumped out of the field for the 102nd running of the Indy 500 this Sunday, has a radical idea for the event.