IndyCar Series: Team Penske Faces Penalties Ahead of 109th Indianapolis 500
The IndyCar Series is poised for the 109th Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, but the atmosphere is marred by a significant technical violation involving Team Penske. The organization was found to have modified rear attenuators on the No. 12 and No. 2 cars during the recent Fast 12 qualifying session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As a result, Josef Newgarden and Will Power have been relegated to the back of the grid after initially being assigned 11th and 12th starting positions.
Team Penske faces further sanctions, with implications that extend beyond mere starting position changes. McLaren driver Pato O’Ward, who secured a front-row position in the Fast 6, strongly criticized the governing body’s decision not to disqualify Penske’s entries entirely. He stated, "Both cars should have been sent to the last-chance qualifier. This is a world-class event, and we must ensure an even playing field."
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, O’Ward highlighted the gravity of the infractions, particularly in light of Roger Penske’s dual role as team owner and the series’ owner. He expressed concern over the integrity of the competition: "What example are you setting… for the honor of your own series?"
This infraction marks the second notable breach for Team Penske in 14 months, following a disqualification in St. Petersburg last year for an illegal push-to-pass system. O’Ward noted that other undisclosed fines have been issued to Penske for previous technical violations, urging the series to maintain a stringent stance on compliance to preserve competitive fairness.
“Whether public or private, it’s not a good look,” O’Ward remarked, emphasizing the broader implications of the team’s actions. He reflected on the fierce rivalry between his team and Penske, suggesting that ongoing infractions can undermine the sport’s credibility.
Last year’s Indianapolis 500 saw O’Ward narrowly miss victory to Newgarden, who now finds himself at a disadvantage heading into this year’s race. As O’Ward prepares to pursue his first win at the event, he remains vigilant of unseen advantages that could be enhancing Penske’s performance, remarking, “I wonder what else is among those cars that we cannot see.”
As the IndyCar community grapples with these developments, the focus will undoubtedly remain on ensuring integrity and transparency in competition, especially at this pivotal event.
