Results are first published as provisional and become official after post-race technical inspection and the resolution of any penalties or reviews.; A car found non-compliant in post-race inspection can be penalized in the results or disqualified.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that provisional results are automatically considered official after a race, leading to disputes when they aren't ratified. Actually, these provisional results only become official once the IndyCar Series confirms them, which can sometimes lead to confusion and arguments among fans who might not realize this crucial step in the process.