INDYCAR Announces WWTR Grid Penalties

We have seen a number of engine penalties already, and now INDYCAR officials have announced a nine-position starting grid penalty for four more cars at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR).

The entries of No. 3 Team Penske, No. 9 and No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 27 Andretti Autosport, and No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing for unapproved engine changes following the Saturday, Aug. 12 race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

The teams were 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 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Sunday, Aug. 27, at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Rob Buckner, IndyCar Program Manager for Chevrolet,  reported that the No 3 change resulted from how early engine 1 had to be changed after testing at Thermal Club.  The No 78 had a wreck at a test session at WWTR and had to change the engine due to that crash.

Dan Layton, representative for Honda Motors, stated that was was an  issue early in the season which affected their engines.  This resulted in several engine penalties over the last few races.  And Layton commented there will be more penalties for this reason before the end of the season.