DETROIT – Chevrolet’s engine failures have reemerged ahead of Sunday’s Detroit Grand Prix.
In between practice on Saturday morning and qualifying in the afternoon, three Chevrolet engines were replaced for Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard, and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Sting Ray Robb and Rinus VeeKay.
Lundgaard secured a fifth-place starting position in qualifying, but his No. 7 engine is again being replaced on Saturday night. Lundgaard’s teammates, Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel, are also getting their engines changed. Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden and David Malukas are joining Arrow McLaren and JHR in having their engines replaced.
“Chevrolet and our partners at Ilmor are working with several of our teams on engine changes recommended in response to a supplier quality issue,” Chevrolet said in a statement. “The situation has been identified and containment efforts are underway. Our focus is on preparing for tomorrow’s Detroit Grand Prix.”
Chevrolet’s engines experienced failures during Indy 500 practice sessions earlier this month, as multiple cars had their engines replaced ahead of qualifying. A Honda engine won the race, as Felix Rosenqvist’s Meyer Shank Racing No. 60 Honda passed Malukas’ No. 12 Chevrolet at the finish line for Honda’s second straight Indy 500 win.
Honda has won five of the seven IndyCar races leading into the Detroit Grand Prix. Honda leads the engine manufacturer championship 594-525. The Detroit Grand Prix, which has Chevrolet as its title sponsor, has been won by a Honda engine every year since returning to the streets of downtown Detroit in 2023.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Chevrolet engine failures continue at Detroit Grand Prix
Reporting by Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
