Fast Five qualifying returns in 2005

Fast Five Qualifying Returns for 2005 Trans-Am Season

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 10, 2005) -- Fast Five Qualifying, which was part of Trans-Am Series competition for nearly two decades, returns for the 2005 season. The Fast Five Qualifying format will feature an inversion of the top-five qualifiers and a revised qualifying points system.

The pole winner, as well as the second- through fifth-fastest qualifiers will roll off the starting line from their respective qualifying positions. The top five will assume their inverted grid positions by shuffling on the first pace lap, dropping the pole winner to fifth, the outside polesitter to fourth, and so on. The pole winner will receive three bonus points for starting fifth, while the second-fastest qualifier will earn one bonus point for his fourth-place start.

"Fast Five Qualifying has been a meaningful part of the Trans-Am Series for nearly 20 years," said Trans-Am Executive Director John Clagett. "We are confident this new version of the Fast Five format will add to an already exciting race weekend. Certainly, this will make for some thrilling racing throughout the field."

The Trans-Am Series features closed-fendered, production-based, V-8-powered sports cars, competing on permanent road courses, and temporary street and airport circuits throughout North America. The Trans-Am Series is America's oldest continuously running road racing series and celebrates its 40th consecutive year of competition in 2005.

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