Ahead of this weekend’s Bommarito 500 from World Wide Technology Raceway, IndyCar officials have announced that a few drivers will receive grid drops for Sunday’s race.
The penalties stem from the team using more than the allowed engine allocation for the season, and will see each driver drop nine positions from where they qualify.
The nine-place penalty is due to the race taking place on an oval, meaning the grid drop is more severe than the six-place drop seen on road and street courses.
Scott Dixon is the driver that perhaps has the most consequences to his penalty, as he sits second in the points standings with only three races remaining.
He will need to be nearly perfect in his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, and hope for some bad luck on his team-mate Alex Palou’s part, in order to close the 101-point gap to the front.
Two other Honda-powered entries also received penalties for using too many engines, with Takuma Sato and Kyle Kirkwood each facing a grid drop this weekend.
In addition, there are two Chevrolet-powered drivers that received grid penalties. Scott McLaughlin and Agustin Canapino will also have to start lower than they qualify
New tire rules are in effect this weekend which give teams two different tire compounds for the first time at an oval event.
Each driver will have to run at least two laps on each compound, which could give those near the back a better chance to employ an unexpected strategy and move up through the field.
Qualifying done via two consecutive laps, with each driver having the track to himself for his run. Penalties will be applied after qualifying is complete, with the final lineup being confirmed before the race.
The 260-lap event takes place Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM Central Time.
