3 days ago
Indy 500 runner up among 3 IndyCar penalizes for failed tech: Penalties and why
INDIANAPOLIS — Three top-12 finishers from Sunday's Indianapolis 500 have been moved to the back of the field for a series of post-race penalties including failed tech inspection and team member improper conduct.
Despite finishing runner-up in the Indy 500 for the second time in three years, Andretti Global's Marcus Ericsson has been bumped back to 31st in the final standings. Along with his teammate Kyle Kirkwood, both the Nos. 27 and 28 Andretti Global cars were discovered in post-race tech inspection to have modified their Dallara-supplied Energy Management System covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts. According to an IndyCar release, EMS covers "must be used as supplied," with the series stating "these modifications provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars."
Why were Marcus Ericsson, Kyle Kirkwood penalized after Indy 500?
The two cars were in violation of the following rules:
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Rule 9.3.1. Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
Rule 14.1.2. Questions to be submitted and will be answered via IRIS. Modifications must be approved seven (7) days prior to the date of intended use.
Rule 14.1.3. All parts provided by an Approved Supplier must be used as supplied without modification unless otherwise approved by INDYCAR and stated in these Rules or in update bulletins.
Ericsson will now be credited with a 31st-place finish, with Kirkwood sliding back to 32nd.
"We are in receipt of the Indianapolis 500 'post-race penalty notice' as provided by IndyCar," Andretti Global wrote in a statement posted to social media. "We are taking the necessary time to assess the information, and we will be requesting a full review with IndyCar."
Can Andretti Global, Prema appeal IndyCar's penalties?
According to IndyCar's rulebook, Andretti Global may request a review in writing, providing a list of errors they believe were made, along with accompanying facts, before designating a single point of contact for the review process. A request for review must be submitted to IndyCar within two business days. If IndyCar determines the request adheres to its rules, the series will name a review administrator who will help all sides with administrative aspects of the review. Within three business days of receiving Andretti Global's review request, IndyCar will be required to provide three potential review facilitators from a previously distributed list of possible caretakers.
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Andretti Global will then have one business day to to name its choice for a facilitator, and IndyCar will have an additional business day to confirm the chosen facilitator's status. Provided the facilitator deems the review to adhere to the rules, a review meeting will be conducted within 10 business days of the penalty being issued. The meeting will take place at IndyCar's offices and be a single-day event of no more than four hours, unless the parties agree to a mutual change. Both sides are permitted three attendees each, and both must have one member deemed to be able to have full authority to reach a resolution of the penalty.
At the end of the meeting, the facilitator will provide their thoughts concerning the penalty and whether it should be upheld, overturned or modified, but the recommendation of the facilitator is not binding. An additional appeals process exists for Andretti Global to pursue, should team officials continue to disagree with the results of the review process.
Why was Callum Ilott penalized after Indy 500?
Additionally, Prema Racing's No. 90 of Callum Ilott was found to have a front wing assembly that failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specifications during routine inspection of that part. The entry was found to have violated:
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Rule 9.3.1. Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
Rule 14.7.6.8. Front wing must adhere to the following Technical Inspection dimensions: Failure of the left side minimum endplate height
Rule 14.7.6.4., which requires endplates, wing flaps and mainplanes remain in the designed location.
Ilott will be credited with a 33rd-place finish.
In a social media post on the team's X account, Prema Racing explained that the wing was "completely original, successfully passed tech multiple times throughout the month and didn't lead to any performance gain," the car's left-side front wing endplate became non-compliant within the rules by the end of the race.
"The team accepts full responsibility," Prema Racing wrote. "The team is currently investigating the root of the problem, which can involve incidents and fitment or production issues. We look forward to implementing the needed procedures to ensure improved control and avoid these kinds of issues in the future."
The field will receive the appropriate prize money and championship points according to the official standings after the penalties. All three cars will each receive a $100,000 fine, and the team/competition managers for all three cars have been suspended for this weekend's Detroit Grand Prix.
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Editor's note: This story was updated with team statements and information about IndyCar's appeals process.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 penalties: Marcus Ericsson, Kyle Kirkwood, Callum Ilott points, fines
