**Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood Disqualified from Indy 500**
**Meta Description:** Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood faced disqualification after their cars failed post-race inspection at the Indy 500, impacting their standings and earnings.
**URL Slug:** indy-500-disqualifications-ericsson-kirkwood
**Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood Disqualified from Indy 500**
In a dramatic turn of events at the Indianapolis 500, Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global were disqualified after their cars failed post-race technical inspections. The race, held on Sunday, saw Ericsson initially finish in second place behind winner Alex Palou, but he was later moved to 31st due to the disqualification. Kirkwood, who crossed the finish line in sixth, was relegated to 32nd place.
Andretti Global released a statement acknowledging receipt of the post-race notice from IndyCar and indicated their intention to conduct a thorough review of the situation. The disqualification stemmed from modifications made to the Energy Management System covers, which are supplied by Dallara, the chassis provider for the series. According to the rulebook, these components must remain unaltered.
The consequences of the disqualifications were significant. Both drivers lost their original prize money and championship points, receiving only the amounts associated with their new standings. Each car was fined $100,000, and the competition managers for the teams were suspended for the upcoming race in Detroit. This incident proved costly for Andretti Global, as the Indy 500 purse reached a record $20,283,000, with the winner set to receive $3.8 million. Ericsson’s earnings dropped to $610,500 for his 31st place finish, while Kirkwood will receive $607,500 for finishing 32nd.
Kirkwood expressed disappointment, stating, “We had a great race, we came across the line in sixth. We’ll go through the review process, and this team is built on sportsmanship and integrity.”
The disqualifications also altered the podium standings, promoting David Malukas of A.J. Foyt Racing to second place and Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren to third. This marked a significant achievement for the Foyt team, as it represented their best Indy 500 finish in 25 years. Additionally, Callum Ilott’s No. 90 car also failed inspection, resulting in similar penalties and a last-place finish.
As the racing community reflects on this incident, the implications for both drivers and their team are profound, raising questions about compliance and the integrity of the sport.
**FAQ**
**What led to the disqualification of Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood at the Indy 500?**
Both drivers were disqualified after their cars failed post-race technical inspections due to unauthorized modifications to the Energy Management System covers, which must remain as supplied according to IndyCar regulations.