With a washed-out Saturday and a busy Sunday, qualifying for the Indy 500 was a dramatic affair. Unlike usual, drivers only had a single attempt to set their place for the iconic race. After showing strong no-tow pace throughout practice, one-off driver Jack Harvey failed to impress when needed, qualifying P29. Young rookie, Caio Collet did impress, though, getting through to the Top 12 and qualifying P10 for his first Indy 500.
However, it wasn’t meant to be for the pair. Both failed a post-qualifying technical inspection. Consequently, the duo was disqualified from the session and will now face starting the race from the last row.
Collet and Harvey Fail Inspections
A range of inspections occur after qualifying to ensure cars are compliant and legal. During the technical inspections, both the No. 14 A. J. Foyt Racing and No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing cars were found to have violated two INDYCAR rules:
- Rule 14.12.1.1. – The EMS must be used as supplied by Dallara and approved by INDYCAR.
- Rule 14.12.1.6. – The EMS covers may only be attached with the supplied hardware and Helicopter tape.
INDYCAR officials discovered modifications to the Energy Management System covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved hardware on both Collet’s and Harvey’s cars. The violation resulted in a disqualification from the session.
The Grid Consequences
Fortunately, like Team Penske in 2025, both are allowed to start the Indy 500. However, they now forfeit their starting places and are moved to the back of the grid. Collet now starts P32, with Harvey taking the final spot, P33. In addition, Collet will lose his three points from qualifying tenth.
This sees most of the grid gaining places, with Takuma Sato jumping up to the fourth row of the grid. Despite now starting in the Top 12, he will not be awarded points as he did not advance. Scott Dixon and Rinus VeeKay both gain an extra point.
One rookie’s downfall is another rookie’s relief. With these two disqualifications, Mick Schumacher moves up one place, P27. Previously starting on the last row, Dennis Hauger and Jacob Abel will now start from the second-to-last row.