NASHVILLE – No matter where NTT IndyCar Series points leader Alex Palou qualifies, he will start six positions further back in Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville.
Palou’s No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing ream was penalized by IndyCar officials with a six-position starting grid penalty because of an an unapproved engine change following a team test at Portland Int’l 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 the rulebook, the penalty for such a change comes at the series’ next event, which is the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 8 in Nashville, Tenn.
Palou, a two-time winner from Spain, leads two-time winner Pato O’Ward of Mexico by 39 points. Six-time NTT IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon of New Zealand is third in points, 56 out of the lead.
Mid-Ohio race winner Josef Newgarden is fourth, 69 points behind the leader. Marcus Ericsson of Sweden is fifth, 104 points out of first, Simon Pagenaud, sixth, 113 points back and Colton Herta is seventh, 124 points out of the lead.