Another set of grid penalties have been announced for the final NTT IndyCar Series round of the season, and they affect two of the three championship contenders.
IndyCar has assessed a nine-position starting grid penalty for the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda of championship leader Alex Palou, the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet of Scott McLaughlin — who is third in points with a mathematical shot at the title — and the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevy of Alexander Rossi for Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway. All three entries made unapproved engine changes following the Sunday, Sept. 1 race at the Milwaukee Mile.
In addition to the these three entries, IndyCar added a fourth penalty for the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevy of Nolan Siegel, who required a new engine following a crash during practice.
The teams were in violation of:
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.
According to Rule 16.1.6.1.2., the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and are served at the series’ next race.
ED: This article was updated to reflect an additional penalty following practice.