Four Honda-powered NTT IndyCar Series entries have been assessed nine-spot grid penalties for going beyond the permitted number of engines for the season.
The unapproved engine changes were made to the championship-leading No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing car of Alex Palou, this week in the new colors of Samaritan’s Purse (pictured above); teammate and third-place contender Scott Dixon in the No. 9 Ganassi entry; plus the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing car driven this weekend by Katherine Legge; and Felix Rosenqvist’s No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda.
Restricted to four motors per entry for the entirety of the season, the need to use a fifth, or sixth, etc., comes with a nine-position penalty on ovals and six spots on road and street courses for each infraction. The four Hondas were changed between the last race at Toronto to provide fresh engines for the final five races, starting with Saturday night’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
According to Rule 16.1.2.3.2, “A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.”