Three drivers have been handed a grid penalty by IndyCar for using excessive engines across the season.
Josef Newgarden’s Team Penske crew began the process of changing out the Chevy power plant after Saturday morning’s practice ended, installing a new engine that put the entry over the limit.
The tight weekend schedule gives the team only 90 minutes to complete a full engine swap, and crews from all three Penske cars were seen working on the same project.
The old engine was near the end of its mileage limit, however, meaning the crew was prepared and had the car disassembled within just a few minutes of the conclusion of practice.
Christian Lundgaard and Santino Ferrucci will also receive grid penalties for swapping in new engines following Friday’s practice runs.
Lundgaard was quickest in Friday’s practice, incidentally using the engine that was replaced just after the conclusion of that session.
Ferrucci sat on pole in Portland last season, and he hopes that a fresh Chevy engine can propel him up the order again this weekend.
All three drivers will be forced to drop six positions from their qualifying positions, but will keep their pole awards should any of them set the fastest time.
The penalties are in addition to the six-place grid penalty for Kyffin Simpson, who was found guilty of avoidable contact during the previous race in Laguna Seca.
Qualifying for Sunday’s race in Portland takes place at 11:30 AM PT.
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