By Steve Wittich

A few hours after the first USF2000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis Presented by Royal Purple Supporting the Lupus Foundation took the checkered flag, USF2000 officials issued the official results that disqualified the No. 80 and No. 81 entries from the Team Pelfrey stable. Kaylen Frederick lost his second place finish, and Robert Megennis lost his eighth place finish for a violation of USF2000 rule no. 14.28.9

The Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda rule book lists Rule 14.28.9 as follows:

14.28.9. Uprights – Uprights must be used as specified by the chassis Manufacturer. Only the approved bearings and seals may be used without modification. Hybrid and/or ceramic bearings are not approved for use

Michelle Kish, the series COO, confirmed to TSO Ladder that Team Pelfrey’s violation of Rule 14.28.9 stemmed from modifications, and that no modifications to the listed parts is allowed.

TSO had a chance to chat with Team Pelfrey General Manager Jonathan Baker, who accepted responsibly for the team’s error.

“It’s (the modifications) been a standard industry operating procedure for a number of years, but with the new Tatuus, they’ve clamped down on that,” Baker told TSO. “We have to respect the decision, and ultimately we made a mistake. There was no malicious intent, and we have to move on. I feel bad for our drivers who did a good job, but we just have to go out and win some motor races.”

The disqualification cost rookie Frederick 25 points, and dropped the 14 year-old from second place in the championship and a 42 point deficit to Oliver Askew, to third place and 67 points adrift of Askew.

Sophomore Megennis lost the 13 points he would have received for his eighth place finish, dropping him from fourth to sixth in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda title fight.

Frederick will start this morning’s second race on the outside of the front row and Megennis will start on the inside of the third row.

The second USF2000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis Presented by Royal Purple Supporting the Lupus Foundation goes green at 10:05am (Eastern) and you can follow all the action with the below options.

Don’t miss any of the action: