IndyCar Bans Indy 500-Winning Move
IndyCar is making an officiating change for the 2023 running of the Indy 500 that would’ve disqualified 2023 winner Josef Newgarden.
Coming out of the final turn, Newgarden steered sharply under the broken line that extends from the pit road entrance in an effort to keep second-place Marcus Ericsson out of his draft.
The move worked and Newgarden was able to stay in front and take the checkered flag.
Weaving in the final laps is common, and Ericsson had crossed the solid white line coming out of Turn 2 in an effort to hold off Newgarden, but IndyCar has decided Newgarden’s move was potentially dangerous, due to is proximity to the end of the pit wall.
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“We’re going to officiate that line,†IndyCar president Jay Frye told RACER. “So think of what Newgarden did when he went below that line going into pit-in. That would be illegal in ‘24. He certainly did nothing wrong in ’23, but this is what you do as a series when it comes to officiating. Things happen, and you have to react.”
Frye said the move was aggressive and needed an agressive response.
As for Newgarden, he posted to X that he’s fine with the change.
“This is the right move for the future! Boundaries are meant to be pushed, and rules are meant to push back! You should expect to see additional rule changes that will help reign in other driving standards at Indy, without removing the ability for drivers to race hard.”
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The 2024 Indy 500 is scheduled for May 26 and could be one of the fastest ever. IndyCar has decided to delay the implementation of its new hybrid powertrains until at least the following race, but the cars will run with the weight reductions that were made to accommodate it.
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