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The new qualifying format for the Indianapolis 500 will include three rounds over two days, with the pole-winner emerging from a "Fast Nine Shootout" on what used to be Bump Day. IndyCar officials also said Friday there will be points incentives that have yet to be announced. Qualifying for the Indy 500 this year will begin on May 17 when the fastest 33 cars are locked into the field. All entries will be guaranteed at least one four-lap attempt to qualify, and the fastest nine drivers will move into the shootout. On Sunday, the previous days times will be erased and entries 10 through 33 will complete another four-lap qualifying attempt to determine their starting position. The fastest nine drivers from Saturday will then make one four-lap attempt to determine the prestigious pole winner and starting front row. The Indy 500 has had four-lap qualifying runs since 1939. The Fast Nine pole shootout was introduced in 2010, but was on Saturday. The change comes as IndyCar struggles to fill the 33-car field, making the once tension-filled Bump Day drama-free the last two years. Without additional entrants on hand trying to make the race, Sunday had become a glorified practice session. By making qualifying stretch over two days, Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become relevant again. "We have a desire to give fans more opportunities to see IndyCar drivers on the track when theres a lot at stake, not just with practice, but where they are out there with putting it on the line in a way that matters," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman Motorsports. "I think in the last many years, Saturday has been the day in qualifying, but theres been an opportunity to add more compelling content on Sunday, and thats what were trying to do here." IndyCar driver Graham Rahal called the new format "intriguing" and praised it for adding fan appeal. "The most important thing to realize here is we have to give our fans a better product both on TV and at track," Rahal said. "As we know Sunday in the past has been a moot point. Now I think theres going to be quite a bit of buildup Saturday, see who the 33 will be, then go into Sunday and wait till the very end to see who the pole winner is going to be. "Im pretty excited for the changes that are ahead. Of course, I am a traditionalist, but Im always one thats open for change as well." The format will make life a little more difficult for NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, who will attempt to become the first driver in 10 years to run both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Busch will now have to qualify in Indianapolis on Saturday, fly to Charlotte, N.C., for NASCARs All-Star race that evening, then return to Indianapolis to determine his starting spot in Sundays qualifying session. Under the old format, had Busch locked himself into the field on Saturday, he would not have necessarily have needed to return to Indianapolis following the All-Star race unless he was in danger of being bumped out. ABC will broadcast the final two hours of Saturdays qualifications and three hours on Sunday. Additional hours of qualifying will be carried on ESPN3, the network said. "Down through history, qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 has made for many dramatic and compelling television moments, and were confident that the leadership of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar will continue that tradition with this new format," said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice-president, motorsports, production. Greg Maddux Braves Jersey . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. Sean Newcomb Jersey . Wheeler said Kane was just making a joke that was misunderstood and misinterpreted by "Winnipeg folks" and the media once again. Wheeler repeated that he believes Kane is a player who has the ability to help the Jets get to the next level as they try once again to reach the playoffs in 2014. He made the comments initially in an interview, when asked how the Jets could compete in the Central Division with teams that have made some high-profile off-season signings. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/jos...raves-jersey/.J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. Bob Uecker Jersey . -- Caris LeVert had 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double, and No. Brian McCann Jersey . The Wizards announced Friday that Webster had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. The operation was performed Thursday in Los Angeles.SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Playing in Sacramento is always special for Ryan Anderson.It took him a half to warm up Tuesday night, but he didnt disappoint when he did.Anderson scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half, and Anthony Davis had 28 points and nine rebounds to help the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100.I had some jitters coming back here, said Anderson, who made 9 of 17 shots and had four rebounds in a reserve role. Most of all, this was a great win. This is a fun atmosphere and I have so many memories watching close games like this one. This was a great win for us.Anderson grew up a Kings fan and won a state high school championship at Sleep Train Arena.Anderson missed on 6 of 7 3s in the first half, but made three 3-pointers in the third quarter when New Orleans outscored the Kings 31-15 and never trailed again to snap a three-game losing streak against Sacramento. He had five 3s overall.DeMarcus Cousins had 24 points and 17 rebounds and Rudy Gay scored 15 for Sacramento, which dropped to 3-2 at home. Jason Thompson had 15 points and nine rebounds, Omri Casspi had 13 and Darren Collison had 13 points and 11 assists.Ex-King Tyreke Evans had all 18 of his points in the second half. Eric Gordon added 17 points for the Pelicans, who squandered a 15-point fourth quarter lead in losing at Portland on Monday.To go through what we went through last night and to bounce back like this against a good team and a tough place to play was really a good win for us, Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. Our third quarter defence, I thought that won the game for us. Our shots fell and Ryan got it going.Evans, who had 11 fourth--quarter points, made an off-balance shot over Cousins from close range and Davis converted one of two free throws, giving New Orleans a 103-97 lead.dddddddddddde came in with energy, got aggressive, and made plays for his teammates. We all know that Tyreke is a talent, Cousins said. Hes a tough matchup and he took an advantage of it.Behind the scoring of Evans and Gordon, the Pelicans built a 98-87 lead. But Sacramento responded with seven unanswered points and Cousins delivered a three-point play, cutting the lead to three points with 1:09 left.PROTECING THE BALLNew Orleans committed six turnovers, one less than their previous season low of seven in a loss to Cleveland. The franchise record is three.LONG-RANGE PROBLEMSThe Kings continue to struggle from 3-point range, making 4 of 11. The Kings missed all 12 3s in their Saturday victory over San Antonio and entered the game with the NBAs second worst percentage (.298) behind Milwaukee.TIP-INSPelicans: Starting centre Omar Asik missed his second straight game due to lower back pain. Alexis Ajinca started in his place. . Evans has made 14 of 30 (47 per cent) from 3-point range. In four of the past five seasons he shot 29 per cent or less, including 22 per cent last year, his first with New Orleans after four years in Sacramento.Kings: Prior to the game, Gay signed a $40 million, three-year contract extension. The formal announcement will take place Wednesday. The final year of his contact is a player option. . Thompson had 10 points in the opening quarter, two more than his previous season high.UP NEXTPelicans: Plays Denver on Friday night.Kings: Faces Chicago on Thursday. ' ' '