O’Ward Unleashes Criticism After Indy 500 Qualifying Violations
Indianapolis, IN – Pato O’Ward, who secured a third-place starting position for the Indianapolis 500 driving for Arrow McLaren, expressed sharp criticism regarding the technical violations affecting Team Penske’s cars during the Fast 12 qualifying session.
Officials discovered a compliance issue with the rear attenuator on Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 Chevrolet, a problem replicated on Will Power’s No. 12 Chevrolet. Both cars were subsequently withdrawn from qualifying after Penske attempted to rectify the issue, resulting in their relegation to Row 4 alongside Scott McLaughlin, who suffered a crash during morning practice.
"It was clear they weren’t accidentally in violation; they had the blowtorch right there to fix it," O’Ward remarked. "Those cars should have been subjected to the Last Chance Qualifier; they didn’t belong in the Fast 12."
O’Ward’s comments highlight a broader concern in the paddock regarding compliance enforcement. As he asserted, “It’s a shame because they don’t need to be doing that. They’re a great team with great drivers. Why jeopardize that?”
The criticism extended to rookie driver Jacob Abel, who missed the Indy 500 field, losing out in the Last Chance Qualifier to Rinus VeeKay, Marcus Armstrong, and Marco Andretti. Abel’s absence, paired with Penske’s disqualification, has intensified scrutiny on technical adherence within the series.
As preparations continue for the 107th running of the Indy 500, the implications of these violations will surely linger, affecting both championship dynamics and team reputations.
