IndyCar moves Collet, Harvey to back

IndyCar sent Caio Collet and Jack Harvey to the back of the Indianapolis 500 field after post-qualifying inspection found unapproved hardware on their cars. The penalties were announced after qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and reordered Collet from 10th to 32nd and Harvey from 29th to 33rd on the starting grid. (wrtv.com) IndyCar Officiating said the issue involved modifications to Dallara-supplied Energy Management System covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points. WRTV reported on May 22 that both drivers said they had no role in the changes and would focus on racing from the rear. (wthr.com) ### How far did each driver drop? Caio Collet lost 22 spots on the grid after originally qualifying 10th for AJ Foyt Racing. Jack Harvey lost four spots after originally qualifying 29th for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. (indycar.com) The revised order placed Collet in 32nd and Harvey in 33rd, the last row of the field. The penalty hit Collet harder because he had advanced into the top 12 in qualifying weekend running, putting the rookie in position for a stronger starting spot before the inspection ruling. IndyCar’s updated race-week coverage later noted that other drivers moved up after the penalties were applied. ### What exactly did IndyCar say was wrong? (wrtv.com) IndyCar Officiating said inspectors found modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System, or EMS, covers and to the cover-to-A-arm mounting points using unapproved hardware. The series said those covers must be used as supplied under the rulebook. WRTV reported the violations were identified in post-qualifying inspection rather than during the timed runs themselves. (wthr.com) That distinction matters procedurally because the qualifying speeds stood, but the starting positions did not. ### Did the drivers say they knew about the changes? WRTV reported on May 22 that Collet and Harvey said they were not involved in the hardware decisions on the cars. (indycar.com) The station said both drivers reacted publicly after their starting positions were moved back. Caio Collet told WRTV he was disappointed by the outcome after a strong qualifying effort. Jack Harvey also told WRTV he had not known about the issue before the penalty. (thepitwindow.blog) WRTV’s report framed both responses as frustration with losing track position rather than a dispute over the ruling itself. ### Why were these parts a sensitive area? The EMS covers and their mounting points sit in an area governed by tightly controlled spec components. (wrtv.com) IndyCar said the parts were Dallara-supplied, meaning teams are required to use them in approved form rather than alter them with different hardware. A 2025 IndyCar technical-violations notice used nearly identical language when the series cited modifications to EMS covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts. (wrtv.com) That earlier case shows IndyCar has treated the area as a compliance issue before. ### What changes now for race day? The 110th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (wrtv.com) Collet will start from 32nd in AJ Foyt Racing’s No. 4 Chevrolet, and Harvey will start 33rd in Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s No. 24 Chevrolet under the revised grid. IndyCar’s race-week materials already reflect the reordered field, and the next formal step is the race itself on Sunday. Any further team comment is likely to come through race-week media availability at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (thepitwindow.blog) (indycar.com 1) (indycar.com 2) (indycar.com 3)