Runners-up in the Indy 500, including Marcus Ericsson, face penalties after post-race inspection failures lead to their vehicles being pushed to the rear.
In a shocking development following the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global have been disqualified and penalized for technical infractions involving their cars.
The disqualification stems from illegal modifications to the Energy Management System (EMS) covers provided by Dallara, as well as the use of unapproved spacers and parts for cover-to-A-arm mounting points. Andretti Global, in a statement, confirmed they were in receipt of the Indianapolis 500 Post-Race Notice provided by IndyCar and are requesting a full review of the penalties.
The consequences of these infractions are severe. Ericsson, who initially finished second, has been demoted to 31st place, while Kirkwood, who originally placed sixth, has been moved to the 32nd position. Callum Ilott of Prema Racing, who had a separate infraction with the minimum endplate height of the front wing assembly, was similarly demoted from 12th to 33rd place.
Each team was fined $100,000, and their competition managers have been suspended for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. The disqualifications resulted in a significant loss of prize money and championship points for both drivers.
The disqualifications have reshuffled the podium finishing order. David Malukas of A.J. Foyt Racing has moved up to second, and Pato O'Ward of Arrow McLaren is now in third. The Foyt team, with Santino Ferrucci's adjusted fifth-place finish, has achieved its best Indy 500 finish in 25 years.
It was a costly blow for Andretti, as the Indy 500 purse for this year was a record $20,283,000, with the winner set to receive $3.8 million. Ericsson, who could have earned up to $1 million in second place, will only receive $610,500 for finishing 31st. Kirkwood, credited with the 32nd finish, is set to earn $607,500.
Sources:[1] Andretti Global Statement on Post-Race Penalties | IndyCar[2] Indy 500 Disqualifications: Andretti Global, Prema Racing Faced Penalties | IndyStar[3] IndyCar Tech Inspection Failures Result in Penalties for Andretti Global, Prema Racing | Racer.com[4] Prize Money Distribution: 2025 Indianapolis 500 | IndyCar
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for our website Digital.
- The technical infractions involving the cars of Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood from Andretti Global, which involved illegal modifications to the Energy Management System covers provided by Dallara, resulted in the suspension of their competition managers for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.
- American-football and NFL fans may be interested to know that the expensive technical penalties for Andretti Global, resulting from their illegal modifications in the Indianapolis 500, worth $100,000 each, have significant ramifications in both immediate prize money and long-term championship points for both drivers.
- In the wake of the disqualifications and penalties faced by Andretti Global and Prema Racing teams for technical infractions in the Indianapolis 500, teams and players in collegiate American-football, specifically the NCAA, should be reminded of the importance of adhering to approved parts and regulations to ensure fair play and avoid similar consequences.
