The Indy racing League has decided to revise its TEAM program awarding money to each car in the IndyCar series and two of the smallest teams will be the biggest losers.
In order to ease the reunification process back in 2008, teams competing in the full IZOD IndyCar series were awarded $1.3 million per car in TEAM (Team Enhancement & Allocation Fund Matrix) money.
For the past two seasons, the program has included the top 24 in entrant points but, beginning in 2011, only the top 22 entries in the final 2010 standings will be allowed to participate in this special program.
The change means that Dale Coyne Racing's No.18 car - driven by Milka Duno this year - and Conquest Racing's No. 36 car, in which Bertrand Baguette and other drivers made appearances, will be no longer eligible.
Series boss Randy Bernard said the change was intended to encourage a higher quality field.
Competitors outside the TEAM cut-off can still receive other payments from IndyCar's various prize and bonus systems, and should any top-22 entrants not compete in 2011, those behind can move into the TEAM bracket.
In order to ease the reunification process back in 2008, teams competing in the full IZOD IndyCar series were awarded $1.3 million per car in TEAM (Team Enhancement & Allocation Fund Matrix) money.
For the past two seasons, the program has included the top 24 in entrant points but, beginning in 2011, only the top 22 entries in the final 2010 standings will be allowed to participate in this special program.
The change means that Dale Coyne Racing's No.18 car - driven by Milka Duno this year - and Conquest Racing's No. 36 car, in which Bertrand Baguette and other drivers made appearances, will be no longer eligible.
Series boss Randy Bernard said the change was intended to encourage a higher quality field.
Competitors outside the TEAM cut-off can still receive other payments from IndyCar's various prize and bonus systems, and should any top-22 entrants not compete in 2011, those behind can move into the TEAM bracket.