Roger Penske has firmly opposed calls for the total disqualification of his drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power from the 109th Indianapolis 500, despite their cars being found with illegally modified rear attenuators during qualifying. The No. 2 and No. 12 Team Penske cars were pulled from the Fast 12 qualifying session on May 18 due to these modifications, which are against IndyCar regulations. Subsequently, IndyCar penalized each entry with a $100,000 fine, suspended the strategists for both cars, and relegated Newgarden and Power to the back of the starting grid for the race on May 25.
Penske highlighted that the cars had passed inspection initially on Saturday, received the official sticker, and performed well enough to qualify in the Top 12 before the issue was raised. He emphasized that the team voluntarily withdrew the cars from the Fast 12 session after officials questioned the legality of the modifications, stating that the drivers earned the right to compete in the race despite the penalties.
As a consequence of the penalties, Newgarden, who was pursuing an unprecedented third consecutive Indy 500 victory, now faces a drastically reduced chance of achieving this feat, as starting from the last row significantly diminishes his prospects.
In response to the scandal, Roger Penske took decisive action by dismissing Team Penske’s senior IndyCar leadership, including president Tim Cindric, managing director Ron Ruzewski, and general manager Kyle Moyer. Penske also issued a public apology to fans, partners, and the organization, acknowledging organizational failures over the past two years and underscoring the importance of maintaining the sport’s integrity.
The controversy is not Penske’s first in recent times; earlier in the 2024 season opener, the team was caught with illegal modifications to the push-to-pass system, leading to disqualifications, suspensions, and fines for the team and drivers. This history has intensified scrutiny and criticism of Team Penske’s compliance with regulations.
IndyCar’s president Doug Boles stated that the integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and the breach involving the rear attenuator—a safety device designed to absorb impact forces—was unequivocal. Consequently, the penalties extended beyond grid position changes to include fines and suspensions of race strategists, reflecting the seriousness of the infraction.
In summary, while Newgarden and Power face severe penalties including starting at the back of the grid, financial fines, and strategist suspensions, Roger Penske rejects the notion of their total disqualification, asserting that the drivers earned their place in the race through initial compliance and performance. The scandal has led to significant leadership changes within Team Penske and a public apology, highlighting the team’s commitment to restoring integrity in the sport.
