LEBANON, Tenn. — IndyCar Series championship contenders Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing and Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske, along with Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi, have been issued grid spot penalties for engine changes at Nashville Superspeedway.
The three drivers will start nine positions lower than their qualifying position for Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway.
The penalties are for unapproved engine changes following the Sunday, Sept. 1 race at the Milwaukee Mile.
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 will be served at the series’ next race, which is the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Presented by Gainbridge Sunday, Sept. 15 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Palou enters the final race of the season with a 33-point lead over Team Penske’s Will Power. If he finishes ninth or better, he will clinch his third NTT IndyCar Series Championship, his second in a row.