I do not like it at all.
I do understand the reasoning behind it.
It is to try and make the 500 that much more important in the eyes of the average person, although not for the real fans.
The Powers that Be are not concerned about us. They are pretty sure we will keep following the sport.
It is quite possible the impetus for this came from the track, not the IC itself.
Remember the Hulman family always had different rules for Indy no matter what group had a series. AAA, USAC or CART, the Hulman Family had different rules for the 500.
Tony just wanted to carry that a step further.