INDIANAPOLIS — Josef Newgarden’s miserable weekend during the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville has had a carryover effect to this weekend’s NTT IndyCar Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Newgarden’s No. 2 Chevrolet was assessed a six-position starting grid penalty by IndyCar officials for an unapproved engine change following Sunday’s race on the streets of Nashville. That means no matter where Newgarden qualifies later today for Saturday’s Big Machine Spike Coolers Grand Prix, he will start six positions further back.
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 the rulebook, the penalty for such a change comes at the series’ next event, which is the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix on Saturday, Aug. 14 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Newgarden was a focus of attention entering last weekend’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville as the “hometown hero” from nearby Hendersonville, Tenn.
But the Team Penske driver who is in contention for the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series championship had a troublesome weekend. He was the highest finishing Team Penske driver in the race in 10th place.
“It was a really tough weekend and it’s been a tough week,” Newgarden said. “It was a great event and I’m really proud of the city of Nashville and IndyCar. I think just putting this together they did a great job. But specifically, on the No. 2 Hitachi Chevy, just sort of a nightmare day.
“Up and down, you know just tried to fight and I think ultimately I can’t be too sad. I don’t think we can be dissatisfied with 10th. As up and down as the day was and as much chaos happened, 10th’s not the worst thing coming out of here, but very disappointed. I’m proud of my team. I think they did a great job and Team Chevy and the support from Hitachi and all our partners is always top-notch and the people on the 2 car are a pretty special bunch.
“I’ll be happy to go into the next race and keep fighting and come back here next year and hopefully redeem ourselves.”