Latest news with #Dallara-suppliedEnergyManagementSystem
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Colton Herta 'embarrassed to be associated with' Andretti Global's Indy 500 tech failures
DETROIT — In the wake of his team's pair of severe post-race tech inspection infractions that led to a loss of its second- and sixth-place finishes in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 from teammates Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood, along with a pair of one-race suspensions and $200,000 in fines, Andretti Global driver Colton Herta said he believes it's good IndyCar has begun to seemingly hold a stricter line in its inspection process. "I'd say it's pretty embarrassing to be associated with cheating. It's something we as a team take really seriously to try and fix," Herta said Friday during his bullpen media session ahead of the Detroit Grand Prix. "It's not something I want to be involved with. It's pretty embarrassing, and it sucks." After announcing Monday afternoon following IndyCar's publication of the penalties, which came after the Nos. 27 and 28 cars were found to have modifications to the cars' Dallara-supplied Energy Management System covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts, that it had triggered IndyCar's "review" process that would follow any potential appeal, Andretti Global ultimately said Friday that it had accepted the penalties. It means team managers for the two cars in question, Josh Freund and Paul Harcus, will be absent for this weekend's on-track action. "While we are disappointed in the outcome, we will take the necessary steps to ensure full compliance moving forward, and (we) want to thank our fans, crews and sponsors who continue to support us," the team's statement read. "Our focus now shifts to the future and delivering strong, competitive results on track, beginning this weekend with the Detroit Grand Prix." At Monday evening's Indy 500 victory celebration, Ericsson, who 24 hours prior believed he'd finished runner-up in the 500 for the second time in three starts following his 2022 victory, told reporters he was clearly dejected but ultimately would accept whatever came of the team and IndyCar's review process in the coming days. "It's obviously very harsh penalties, but if that's the rules, then that's the rules," he said. "We respect the integrity of the sport. The team is looking into everything right now, so we'll see, but I'm proud of myself and proud of the team and the way we raced yesterday." Doug Boles: IndyCar working to implement partial scanning into tech inspection process In its penalty announcement, IndyCar stated Monday that the modifications at hand were deemed to have provided the cars the capability of "enhanced aerodynamic efficiency" for both cars. "This team is built on sportsmanship and integrity, and we'll do everything right in the future," Kirkwood said during his time on stage during the televised victory celebration. "Of course we're going to look into it, and this is obviously still very fresh for us.
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
IndyCar working to implement partial scanning into tech inspection process
DETROIT — With the assistance of Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Global, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Arrow McLaren and Dallara, IndyCar president Doug Boles said the series has begun to explore a partial scanning process for its tech inspection process that will "advance" IndyCar's ability to ensure all cars are competing on a level playing field. A week ago, in the wake of Team Penske's pair of Indianapolis 500 pre-Fast 12 tech inspection failures and the ensuing firestorm of penalties, firings and paddock-wide controversy, Boles was asked whether implementing scanning in IndyCar's pre- and post-session tech inspection process, something that both IMSA and NASCAR use, could offer an easy fix to ensure something like Penske's out-of-compliance attenuators that have existed for well over a year wouldn't get missed. At the time, the series president said that due to the fact the cars in use have been made over such a long period of time, it might prove ineffective until a new car came online in 2027 at the earliest. Boles said Friday that IndyCar in recent days made progress in at least a partial-scanning process the series hopes to validate over a couple more races the rest of this season. "(Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Global, A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Arrow McLaren) provided their Indianapolis 500 cars for us to use this week for scanning verification. This was extra work for their crews after a very busy weekend, and Iappreciate their support," Boles said. "We learned quite a bit in the exercise and are targeting at least two more events this year where we can validate the process and our learnings and continue to advance our technical inspection process in the future." Additionally, Boles noted that IndyCar had had "productive dialogue" with Andretti Global and Prema Racing in the wake of the post-race tech inspection penalties levied against both teams less than 24 hours after the completion of the 500. Andretti's Nos. 27 (Kyle Kirkwood) and 28 (Marcus Ericsson) cars that finished sixth and second were found to have modified the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts. Prema's No. 90 car (Callum Ilott) was found post-race to have a left side front wing endplate that didn't reach minimum height. Prema noted immediately on Monday that it accepted the penalties, while Andretti Global triggered a review process this week before saying Friday that it accepted IndyCar's penalties "after careful analysis with IndyCar" and wouldn't pursue any further review or appeals. Along with the cars being shifted to the back of the finishing order for the 500 (31st through 33rd) and seeing their prize money and championship points from the event shift to correspond with their final finishing spots, each of the three penalized cars were fined $100,000, and team managers on the cars were suspended for the Detroit Grand Prix. Insider: Indy 500 broadcast hit 17-year high. What comes next is important for IndyCar's growth In his Friday statement, Boles thanked both teams for sharing in "transparent and open conversations regarding how the mistakes were made."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This Year's Indy 500 Was A Bit Of A Mess
Read the full story on Backfire News This year's Indy 500 was a bit of a mess, but some fans seemed to love all the drama and carnage while others were horrified. Out of 33 cars entered for the famous race, by the halfway mark there were only 25 still on the the tone was Scott McLaughlin's crash before the green flag even waved. Marco Andretti wrecked out on the first lap. During a pit stop, Alexander Rossi's car caught fire, the frustrated driver throwing his gloves after getting away from the blaze. Rinus VeeKay crashed in pitrow telling Fox Sports he hit the brakes, but the car didn't respond, thanks to an unknown brake system fault. After the caution thanks to VeeKay's wreck, Kyle Larson spun out on the restart while doing an unnecessary downshift. That led to Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb also crashing, ending the race for all three drivers. Rookie driver Robert Schwartzman suffered an unfortunate mishap coming into the pits. Thanks to what he described as something that 'felt really strange' he locked both front tires, coming into his pit too fast. The car hit four pit crew members and the wall. They struggled to lift the car and get it positioned away from the wall. Then a crew member hobbled to have his injured ankle inspected by the safety crew. Because of the pit accident, Schwartzman retired from the race. After the race, IndyCar officials found unapproved modifications on cars driven by Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global, plus Callum Ilott of Prema Racing. In an official statement IndyCar said, "During post-race inspection of car Nos. 27 and 28, IndyCar discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts.' As a result, all three cars were put in the rear of the field. Each one was given a $100,000 fine, plus the team and competition managers for each was slapped with a one-race suspension. Image via NTT IndyCar Series/Facebook
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Indy 500 runner-up Marcus Ericsson penalized for failed post-race inspection, drops to 31st place and forfeits 2nd-place payout
Indianapolis 500 runner-up Marcus Ericsson was one of three top-12 finishers from Sunday's race whose cars failed a post-race inspection, resulting in a drop to the back of the field. For Ericsson, that means that he fell from second place to 31st out of 33 drivers who competed. The cars driven by Ericsson and his Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood were found in their post-race inspections to have unapproved modifications to the covers on their Dallara-supplied Energy Management System hybrid units. IndyCar announced the penalties on Monday. Per IndyCar, those units are required to be used as supplied, and the modifications 'provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars.' Kirkwood dropped from sixth place to 32nd after the penalty. The car driven by Prema Racing's Callum Ilott "failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specification." Ilott dropped from 12th place to 33rd because of his team's penalty. Andretti Global announced that it is requesting "a full review" of the penalties from IndyCar. Prema Racing issued a statement accepting "full responsibility" for the infraction. The penalty means more frustration for Ericsson, who held a late lead in Sunday's race before being passed by winner Alex Palou. Ericsson, a former Formula 1 driver, held the lead with 14 laps remaining, but was passed by Palou while entering Turn 1. ALEX PALOU TO THE LEAD AT INDY! — NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 25, 2025 Palou did not relinquish the lead from there en route to his fifth win in six races this season. Ericsson held on for second place until his post-race penalty dropped him to 31st, a fall that comes with a likely six-figure reduction in payout. Indy 500 payouts aren't straight forward and don't simply award drivers and teams progressively based on where they finished. Other factors including laps led and qualifying performance impact the final payouts. Per the Indianapolis Star, Ericsson earned $610,500 for his 31st-place finish. The Athletic estimates that his payout for second place would have exceeded $1 million. The cars for both Ericsson and Kirkwood were each issued a $100,000 penalty for the infractions. The competition managers for both cars are suspended for the upcoming Detroit Grand Prix scheduled for June 1. Palou earned $3.8 million for winning the Indy 500.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Indy 500 runner-up Marcus Ericsson penalized for failed post-race inspection, drops to 31st place and forfeits 2nd-place payout
Indianapolis 500 runner-up Marcus Ericsson was one of three top-12 finishers from Sunday's race whose cars failed a post-race inspection, resulting in a drop to the back of the field. For Ericsson, that means that he fell from second place to 31st out of 33 drivers who competed. Advertisement The cars driven by Ericsson and his Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood were found in their post-race inspections to have unapproved modifications to the covers on their Dallara-supplied Energy Management System hybrid units. Per IndyCar, those units are required to be used as supplied, and the modifications 'provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars.' Kirkwood dropped from sixth place to 32nd after the penalty. The car driven by Prema Racing's Callum Ilott "failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specification." Ilott dropped from 12th place to 33rd because of his team's penalty. The penalty means more frustration for Ericsson, who held a late lead in Sunday's race before being passed by winner Alex Palou. Ericsson, a former Formula 1 driver, held the lead with 14 laps remaining, but was passed by Palou while entering Turn 1. Palou did not relinquish the lead from there en route to his fifth win in six races this season. Ericsson held on for second place until his post-race penalty dropped him to 31st, a fall that comes with a likely six-figure reduction in payout. Advertisement Indy 500 payouts aren't straight forward and don't simply award drivers and teams progressively based on where they finished. Other factors including laps led and qualifying performance impact the final payouts. Marcus Ericsson led Sunday's Indianapolis 500 late, but had his second-place finish dropped to 31st because of a failed post-race inspection. (Photo by) (James Gilbert via Getty Images) Per the Indianapolis Star, Ericsson earned $610,500 for his 31st-place finish. The Athletic estimates that his payout for second place would have exceeded $1 million. The cars for both Ericsson and Kirkwood were each issued a $100,000 penalty for the infractions. The competition managers for both cars are suspended for the upcoming Detroit Grand Prix scheduled for June 1. Palou earned $3.8 million for winning the Indy 500.
