IndyCar Drops Collet, Harvey to 32nd and 33rd for Indianapolis 500 EMS Violations
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 18
IndyCar Drops Collet, Harvey to 32nd and 33rd for Indianapolis 500 EMS Violations
5 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 18
Caio Collet and Jack Harvey were sent to the final two spots on the 33-car Indianapolis 500 grid after post-qualifying inspection found illegal car changes; both also lose preferred pit selection.
IndyCar said both teams altered the Dallara-supplied energy management system and used unapproved hardware on the EMS covers, voiding their four-lap qualifying runs under series rules.
Collet, an A.J. Foyt rookie, also forfeits the 3 points he earned for reaching the 12-car pole shootout, while Scott Dixon and Rinus Veekay inherit those disputed points and move up to 10th and 11th.
The teams can appeal the penalties, which follow qualifying won by defending Indianapolis 500 champion Alex Palou and reshape the back end of next weekend's starting order.
Are these harsh penalties the first major statement from IndyCar's new, independent officiating leadership on enforcing fairness?
How can altering a simple wheel tether cover provide an illegal aerodynamic advantage in the high-stakes Indianapolis 500?