Indy 500 Runner-Up Marcus Ericsson Penalized, Drops to 31st After Postrace Inspection

A postrace inspection of Marcus Ericsson's car revealed modification violations that will move him out of the runner-up spot in the official 2025 Indianapolis 500 results.

IndyCar announced on Monday that Ericsson's No. 28 car was one of three that failed a postrace inspection and his result will be changed to the back of the field to 31st place.

Two of the three cars in violation of the rules were from Andretti Global, including Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood.

The announcement noted both postrace inspections revealed "modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts."

IndyCar's rulebook states the EMS covers must be used as supplied and the modified covers "provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars."

Álex Palou won a thrilling race on Sunday by opting not to pit for fuel with 15 laps remaining. Ericsson was leading the race at the time and was among a group that opted to make a pit stop.

The decision allowed Palou to leap into the top spot and hold onto it to earn his first Indy 500 victory after finishing in the top 10 in each of the previous three years.

Ericsson, who originally finished 0.68 seconds behind Palou, told reporters after the race his decision to pit "will keep me up at night."

From that perspective, it's at least good that Ericsson didn't win because having a victory taken away would be devastating. It also wouldn't feel great for someone like Palou to get the biggest win of his career on a technicality.

The adjusted results means David Malukas, Pato O'Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Santino Ferrucci round out the top-five finishers after Palou.