The 2009 Atlantic Championship will feature a $1 million prize to the series champion as part of $3 million in prize money, series officials announced.
$1 million will be awarded to the champion, and the driver who finishes second will receive $500,000, with the remaining $1.5 million to be paid out in per-event race purses.
In addition to the $3 million prize package, bonus and contingency prizes will continue to be offered in the 2009 Atlantic Championship, including the $1,000 Cooper Tire Pole Award for the fastest qualifier at each race.
Additionally, the point structure has been altered. Most notably, drivers will count their best 11 finishes from the 12 races on the 2009 schedule toward the championship, eliminating their worst result of the season.
The number of points and the number of points-paying positions has also changed. A race victory will now net a driver 20 points, as opposed to the 31 awarded for a victory in recent seasons.
Second place is now worth 16 points, with 14 for third, 12 for fourth, 10 for fifth, eight for sixth, seven for seventh, six for eight, five for ninth, four for 10th, three for 11th, two for 12th and one point for 13th place. Previously, points were awarded for all finishers in the top-20 positions.
The fastest driver in each qualifying session will earn one bonus point, with a "Hard Charger Bonus" of one point going to the driver who improves the most positions from start to finish in each race.
photo:Philippe Champoux - Auto123.com
$1 million will be awarded to the champion, and the driver who finishes second will receive $500,000, with the remaining $1.5 million to be paid out in per-event race purses.
In addition to the $3 million prize package, bonus and contingency prizes will continue to be offered in the 2009 Atlantic Championship, including the $1,000 Cooper Tire Pole Award for the fastest qualifier at each race.
Additionally, the point structure has been altered. Most notably, drivers will count their best 11 finishes from the 12 races on the 2009 schedule toward the championship, eliminating their worst result of the season.
The number of points and the number of points-paying positions has also changed. A race victory will now net a driver 20 points, as opposed to the 31 awarded for a victory in recent seasons.
Second place is now worth 16 points, with 14 for third, 12 for fourth, 10 for fifth, eight for sixth, seven for seventh, six for eight, five for ninth, four for 10th, three for 11th, two for 12th and one point for 13th place. Previously, points were awarded for all finishers in the top-20 positions.
The fastest driver in each qualifying session will earn one bonus point, with a "Hard Charger Bonus" of one point going to the driver who improves the most positions from start to finish in each race.
photo:Philippe Champoux - Auto123.com