INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indianapolis 500 is passing on tradition this year.

For the first time, two races will be held the last weekend of May. And a new qualifying format is likely to change everything from pole strategy to solidifying starting spots.

Welcome to Indy of the 21st century.

“I think it’s going to bring a lot more excitement, because we’ll be going all day instead of waiting and waiting and waiting,” said Darren Manning, an English driver on the Target Chip Ganassi team.

In past years, the tension mounted as cars were limited to just three qualifying attempts and owners tried everything – including pulling a car out of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum – to make the race. Drivers routinely waited hours for the track to cool and the tricky winds to calm down before making a late run at the pole.

But as the number of entries has decreased, so has the suspense of drivers bumping each other from the field. Race organizers needed a way to reignite interest in the Indy Racing League’s most prestigious event.

They believe they have a solution.

When qualifying for the May 29 race begins next weekend, drivers will be allowed up to three attempts on each of four qualifying days – as many as 12 attempts overall – to make the 33-car field.

The top 11 spots will be qualified on the first day; the next 11 on the second and the rest of the field on the third – allowing for bumping each day. Then, on the fourth day, any driver who turns in a faster time than anyone on the field bumps the slowest qualifier and automatically claims the 33rd spot.

They’ve also moved the Infiniti Pro Series race, the Freedom Futaba 100, back one week to the Friday of race week, and switched Carb Day from Thursday to Friday of race week. That gives corporate sponsors an entire weekend of wining and dining events.

“We’ve had a lot of great reaction from the sponsors, because now they feel like they can bring people in for activities all of race weekend,” speedway president Joie Chitwood said. “It fits better with their goals.”

Speedway officials hope fans embrace the changes, too.

Since 1996, when the IRL and CART split, crowds have dwindled throughout the month, culminating in last year’s failure to sell out the rain-plagued race.

So organizers have tried to create a more fan-friendly environment. Instead of a usually dull four-hour midday break between qualifying runs, Chitwood believes teams must now decide between continuing to practice and risking a requalification attempt on Day 2.

Either way, most people expect teams to take more chances when qualifying starts next weekend.

The track opens for rookie orientation Sunday; veterans start practicing Tuesday.

While Chitwood said he hasn’t yet heard any complaints, questions remain about whether the modifications will help attendance.

Chitwood acknowledged last week that tickets still were available for the race, and there’s no indication whether the new format will draw bigger crowds for qualifications or practices.

“I don’t like it,” said David Ferren, a 30-year-old from Missouri who has attended four previous Indianapolis 500s. “I think they should have one day to get the car right.”

Another change, starting the race at noon instead of 11 a.m. local time, wipes out one of the weekend’s more dramatic story lines – the daily double.

Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and John Andretti are the only drivers who have attempted to race in Indianapolis before flying to Charlotte, N.C., and competing in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The new start time prevents anyone from trying it, said Stewart, a former Cup champion who grew up in Indiana.

Stewart believes Indy needs more than a facelift to regain its popularity.

“What it needs is 60 or 70 cars (attempting to qualify), that’s what always made Indy what it was,” he said. “If the changes make it exciting for the fans, then it’s a good thing. If it’s just another gimmick, I’m not sure it will help. But at least they’re willing to try.”

For now, traditionalists are withholding judgment.

“It will be interesting to see,” said Ganassi, who qualified five times for the race as a driver. “I think the new format has the ability to use up a lot of engines.”

But for the drivers who slept through the dull afternoons of previous qualifying days, they know the new format will make things more intriguing in the stands and the garages.

“Now, if you’re in the eight, nine, 10 or 11 spot, you have to hope you don’t get bumped,” Manning said. “But you’re still going to have to keep going out and be ready to requalify. It’s going to be exciting.”