NEWTON, Iowa — After yesterday’s Hy-VeeDeals.com 250, the engine in Colton Herta’s No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda was changed. Because this new engine is above Herta’s allotment for the season, the Californian will face a grid penalty for Sunday’s Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300.
Per the IndyCar rulebook:
Rule 16.2.3.2 A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.
According to rule 16.6.1.2, Herta would suffer a six position penalty at the next road or street course or a nine position penalty at the next oval race, which is the second of two races at Iowa Speedway.
Herta was originally supposed to start third. Instead, he will start 12th.
In Saturday’s Hy-VeeDeals.com 250, Herta had a clutch issue that kept him in the pits for several laps. Herta finished in 24th place, eight laps down to race winner Josef Newgarden.
The Hy-Vee Salute to Farmers 300 airs live on NBC at 3:00 p.m. ET with the green flag flying 30 minutes later.
