The current IndyCar points leader Alex Palou has incurred a six-place grid penalty for this weekend’s Music City Grand Prix.
The penalty is due to an unapproved engine change by his Chip Ganassi Racing team following testing done in Portland over the summer break.
Engines must be run a prescribed distance before being changed legally, and Palou’s change violated that rule.
Palou will take part in the full Fast-6 knockout qualifying session on Saturday, but will have to start three rows back from wherever he finishes the session.
The Spanish driver has been on the podium for the previous three races and is currently 39 points ahead of Pato O’Ward.
With a tight street course on the docket for the weekend, the penalty could prove to be more costly than if it had come at some other tracks on the calendar.
The inaugural Music City Grand Prix takes place this Sunday at 5:30 PM Eastern Time from the streets of downtown Nashville.
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