(INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) – Today, Honda has not yet released a full technical explanation to what happened to Marcus Armstrong’s No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing entry in Sunday’s XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, but early indications point to a catastrophic internal engine failure — likely involving the turbocharger or a dropped valve, given the sudden loss of power and smoke signature.

Armstrong was on pace for his first career IndyCar win with just 5 laps to go when his car instantly turned into a plume of smoke, flames, and bitter disappointment giving the win Christian Lundgaard.

After the race, Armstrong kept his comments measured, but emotional afterward:

“We did everything right today. The team gave me a car capable of winning, and it’s gutting to lose it like that. But we’ll come back stronger.”

Honda Racing Corporation US president Davis Salters released a public apology to not only Marcus Armstrong, but to Meyer Shank Racing as well.

“Racing is sport and sport has its highs and lows,” Salters said. “We experienced both this weekend. Pole position and four cars in the Firestone Fast Six showed the hard work of our marvelous drivers and teams and our HRC associates yet again. In the race we were very competitive and, up to the very end of the race, leading and in a great position. But then we failed with just three laps to go whilst leading.”
 
“The racer in me would always rather fail, which happens unfortunately, whilst leading, but I am extremely sorry to Marcus and the valiant MSR team, just heartbreaking and we are extremely sorry for distress caused to Marcus and the team.”
 
“We will investigate and find out what has happened. We push things to the limit, so we are always managing risk with very highly stressed components. We will find out what went wrong, learn and come back fighting. We win together and we lose together.”

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