IndyCar Penalty: Ferrucci’s Car Fails Inspection, Foyt Fined $25K

At the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, things got pretty wild when IndyCar officials slapped A.J. Foyt Enterprises with a $25,000 fine after Santino Ferrucci’s car didn’t pass the post-race technical inspection.

Ferrucci had just pulled off a fantastic second-place finish, but the team now faces some serious consequences, including losing 25 championship driver and entrant points.

This situation really puts IndyCar’s tough vehicle inspection process in the spotlight. Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about how closely officials are watching teams, and this just adds more fuel to that fire.

IndyCar’s Strict Vehicle Inspection Protocols

The penalty for A.J. Foyt Enterprises shows just how serious IndyCar is about keeping things fair. After the Detroit race, inspectors found a problem with the driver ballast weight on Ferrucci’s car, which led to the fine and points loss.

Ferrucci still keeps his second-place trophy, but the team’s shot at the championship definitely took a hit.

Previous Inspection Failures and Penalties

This kind of thing isn’t exactly new. Before the 109th Indianapolis 500, Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power got bumped to the back of the grid because their cars had illegal attenuators.

That discovery shook things up at Penske, and team president Tim Cindric ended up leaving.

Penske’s issues with the rules go back even further. In 2024, Newgarden got caught with access to an illegal horsepower boost during the season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida.

He lost his victory, and Cindric was suspended for two races—including the 2024 Indy 500. That had to sting.

Andretti Global’s Recent Setbacks

Andretti Global hasn’t had it easy either. After the 2025 Indianapolis 500, both Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood were penalized for making illegal changes that might’ve given their cars an aerodynamic edge.

Ericsson, who originally finished second, dropped to 31st place, and Kirkwood landed in 32nd. Still, Kirkwood managed to pick up a win this season, which says a lot about his grit.

Impact on Championship Standings

These penalties and fines have really shaken up the championship standings. Losing 25 points is a tough blow for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the ultra-competitive NTT IndyCar Series.

At least Ferrucci’s second-place finish still stands, which is something to hang onto.

Ericsson and Kirkwood have also seen their championship dreams take a hit after their penalties. Even so, Kirkwood’s pulled off wins in two races this season, which is pretty impressive given the circumstances.

Looking Ahead: The Bommarito Automotive Group 500

The next stop for the NTT IndyCar Series is the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. That race goes down on June 15 at 8 p.m.

It’s a fresh chance for teams to bounce back and shake up the standings again—maybe we’ll see some surprises.

Key Drivers to Watch

• Alex Palou: The 2025 Indy 500 champ has been on fire this season, winning five of the first seven races. Hard not to keep your eye on him.
• Kyle Kirkwood: Even after those penalties, Kirkwood dug deep and won the only two races Palou didn’t. That’s no small feat.
• Josef Newgarden: With his history of run-ins with the rulebook, Newgarden’s probably got something to prove and will be hungry for a comeback.

The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 should be a real showdown, with teams and drivers all out to prove themselves and move past the recent drama.

A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Team Penske, and Andretti Global have all run into some pretty tough challenges lately. The recent penalties and fines in the IndyCar Series really show just how seriously everyone takes those regulatory standards.

Officials keep a close eye on the rules to make sure competition stays fair. Teams have to keep adapting if they want to stay out of trouble and keep performing on track.

For more information on the recent penalty imposed on A.J. Foyt Enterprises, you can read the full article here.