They have the speed, but there could possibly be durability problems for Chevrolet with their engine package for the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series season.
Chevrolet took the top six spots in te season opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, but required eleven of their Chevrolet engines had to undergo repairs. Virtue of rule 10.6.4.4. in the rulebook, 20 points were deducted for each of engines requiring the non-minor repairs. As a result, Chevrolet was penalized 220 points in the manufacture standings.
The manufactures are awarded points virtue of the top-three finishers for each manufacture gaining the championship points that correspond with their finishing position. Bonus points are then awarded to the driver who earns the Verizon P1 Award (one point) and which manufacture leads the most laps (two points).
The engines are expected to go 2,500 miles before being changed out, with a total of four engines being used for the 10,000 miles in the season. Teams can earn 10 points for each engine that reaches that limit, but 20 points are deducted for an engine failing to complete it’s cycle, and 20 points are deducted for any non-minor repairs that require a component change.
Following the season opener, Chevrolet earned 128 points with Juan Pablo Montoya earning 50 points for first, Will Power earning 40 points for second, Tony Kanaan earning 35 points for third, Power earning a point for the Verizon P1 Award, and two points for leading 105 of the 110 laps. Honda earned a total of 70 points, highlighted by Ryan Hunter-Reay’s seventh place finish that brought forth 26 points. With the penalties in place for Chevrolet now, Honda leasd by 162 points heading into the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana on April 12.
