Indy 500 runner-up penalized for ‘enhanced’ car

INDIANAPOLIS — Marcus Ericsson, the runner-up of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 has been penalized after Sunday’s race.

According to a news release from INDYCAR on Monday, Ericsson, who drove the No. 28 car for for Andretti, was penalized for alleged “enhanced aerodynamic efficiency” to his car after Sunday’s race. Another Andretti team member, Kyle Kirkwood, was also penalized for similar conduct after Sunday’s race.

The release said that Callum Ilott, a driver for Prema who drove the No. 90 car, was also penalized for reportedly failing to meet the minimum endplate height and location specifications. These penalties were discovered after a post-race inspection.

With these punishments, INDYCAR placed Ericsson 31st in Sunday’s race. Kirkwood and Ilott were placed 32nd and 33rd respectively. This change pushed David Malukas to be the second-place finisher at the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

The Andretti cars allegedly featured modifications to the Energy Management System covers, and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts. According to the INDYCAR rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied. The changes from the Andretti cars reportedly provided, “the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency,” according to INDYCAR.

This put the Andretti Global cars in violation of the following rules:

• 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.

The PREMA Racing car that failed to meet the endplate height requirements and location specifications allegedly violated the following rules:

• 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.

Each car will receive a $100,000 fine, with an additional one-race suspension for the entire team that is to be served at the next NTT INDYCAR SERIES event, Streets of Detroit.

The penalized members can contest the results of the findings.