Josef Newgarden has incurred a six-position grid penalty for this weekend’s penultimate event of the season at Portland.

The Team Penske driver, who is just three points behind team-mate Will Power at the top of the series standings, copped the sanction for an unapproved engine change.

AJ Foyt Racing’s Dalton Kellett has been punished likewise.

“IndyCar officials have announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the entries of No. 2 Team Penske and No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises for unapproved engine changes following the Saturday, Aug. 20 race at World Wide Technology Raceway,” read an announcement from the series.

“The teams were in violation of:

“Rule 16.2.3.2 A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines.

“Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.

“According to Rule 16.6.1.2, the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Grand Prix of Portland Sunday, Sept. 4 at Portland International Raceway.”

Practice 1 is due to start this morning at 07:30 AEST, while Practice 2, Qualifying, and the Race itself are live and ad-free on Stan Sport.