IndyCar disqualifies Collet, Harvey for illegal EMS cover modifications
Summary
IndyCar disqualified Caio Collet and Jack Harvey from Indianapolis 500 qualifying after post-qualifying inspections found unapproved modifications to Dallara-supplied Energy Management System covers and unauthorized cover-to-A-arm mounting hardware. Officials said the alterations violated rules 14.12.1.1 and 14.12.1.6, which require EMS covers, supplied attachment hardware and helicopter tape be used as supplied, and that the changes appeared to provide an aerodynamic advantage related to suspension mounting points. The action followed the Indy 500 Qualifying session and the Top 12 shootout.
The penalties removed the four-lap qualifying times for the No. 4 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet driven by Caio Collet and the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet driven by Jack Harvey, moved both entries to the rear of the 33-car grid and placed them in the final two starting positions. IndyCar specifically listed Collet in 32nd and Harvey in 33rd. Both teams forfeited their allocated pit positions and will receive whatever pit boxes remain available. Collet forfeited the three Indy 500 qualification points he had earned by reaching the Top 12 shootout; Collet had originally qualified 10th and had been the top rookie qualifier, and Harvey had been set to start 29th prior to the penalty. Drivers who qualified 11th or lower will move up to fill the vacated starting slots.
IndyCar said the penalties altered starting order, pit-selection consequences and points allocation, and underscored enforcement of technical rules around Dallara-supplied safety equipment. The infractions were attributed to two separate teams, AJ Foyt Racing and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, and IndyCar noted teams may contest the rulings under the NTT INDYCAR SERIES review and appeal procedures. Reports differ slightly on how redistributed qualification points were recorded; IndyCar named Scott Dixon and Rinus VeeKay as moving into the 10th and 11th positions, and other filings listed entries Nos. 9 and 76 as being awarded 10th- and 11th-place qualification points while entry No. 75 was noted as ineligible.