IndyCar Technical Inspection Produces Controversy on Pole Day
On Pole Day, IndyCar Series president Doug Boles addressed the media regarding the disqualification of Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 Team Penske Chevy and Will Power’s No. 12 Chevy. Both cars were ruled to be in violation of technical specifications prior to the Fast 12 qualification session, with no immediate penalties to be imposed until after the Indianapolis 500.
Boles clarified that any potential fines or penalties would be evaluated post-race, aligning with IndyCar’s established protocol. "At the end of every event, we assess any violations," he stated, indicating that issues are typically handled after the race weekend.
The disqualification stemmed from illegal modifications made to the rear crash structures, or attenuators, on both vehicles. Boles detailed the inspection process led by technical director Kevin Blanch, noting that during initial checks, an inconsistency was spotted on the No. 12 car, prompting further scrutiny.
Blanch detected an issue with an attenuator that suggested it may have been altered to improve aerodynamics. Although he initially allowed the car to proceed for efficiency, the following inspection of the No. 2 car revealed it bore identical modifications. Consequently, Blanch instructed the team to withdraw both cars from qualifying.
"Rocket was 95 percent sure that we had a rule that stated you cannot modify the attenuator," Boles explained. Under rule 14.7.8.16, any parts not expressly listed as modifiable cannot be altered. Following the identification of the violations, the Penske team faced a critical choice: qualify and risk disqualification or withdraw from the session altogether. They opted to withdraw.
As a result, both cars will start at the back of the top 12 for the race, with their starting order determined by previous qualifying times. Boles confirmed that the rules would be strictly enforced, stating, "Those cars will start in the order of their qualifying time from yesterday."
In response to inquiries about when the modifications were applied, Boles remarked, "All I can tell you is, it was found today," leaving open the possibility for further investigation leading up to the highly anticipated Indianapolis 500.
