'Push to Pass' makes short-oval IRL debut in Iowa

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) -The Indy Racing League's new “push to pass” button was designed to give drivers an extra little boost when they need it.

At the short-oval Iowa Speedway, one little push will last more than half a lap. That could make for some very interesting racing during Sunday's Iowa 250.

The push to pass button was introduced by the IRL last August. It makes its short-oval debut on the Iowa Speedway's .875-mile track.

Each driver gets 24 uses of the button, giving them 10 seconds of extra horsepower with an eight-second reset between uses.

Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay says it should help drivers make more moves than they've been able to in the past, given the track's tight setup.

Andretti Autosports driver Tony Kanaan says push to pass might even decide who wins Sunday's race.