Dixon, Palou Swap Engines as Ilott Gets New Car for Indy 500 Qualifying

Dixon, Palou Swap Engines as Ilott Gets New Car for Indy 500 Qualifying
Scott Dixon, of New Zealand, drives out of the pit area during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on May 19, 2023. Michael Conroy/AP Photo
The Associated Press
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INDIANAPOLIS—Scott Dixon and Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Alex Palou made late engine swaps before the start of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, while Callum Ilott made it onto the track after his Junco Hollinger Racing team was forced to put together a backup car in just over 12 hours.

Dixon indicated at the conclusion of Friday’s final practice that something was amiss, even though the Honda cars in the Ganassi garage have been fast all week. But it was a surprise that both Dixon and Palou wound up changing engines, leaving each of them just 30 minutes of practice before they began their four-lap qualifying attempts later in the day.