PORTLAND, Ore. — As the NTT IndyCar Series winds down to its final two races, many teams have reached their limit on engine allotment for the year.
That is the reason for the recent surge in grid-spot penalties as engines reach the mileage limitation and teams have to go over the total number of engines allowed by IndyCar and its manufacturers, Chevrolet and Honda.
Teams are allowed a maximum of four engines per season.
Once a fifth engine is installed, that team stops scoring points for the Manufacturer’s Championship.
The most recent entry to get a penalty is the No. 20 Chevrolet driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay at Ed Carpenter Racing.
On Friday, IndyCar officials have announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the No. 20 Chevrolet for an unapproved engine change following the Sunday, Aug. 27, race at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The team was in violation of:
- Rule 16.2.3.2 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 16.6.1.2, the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland Sunday, Sept. 3 at Portland International Raceway.