IndyCar officials have dealt a monumental blow to Team Penske’s bid for a 21st Indianapolis 500 triumph, imposing severe sanctions after discovering unauthorized modifications to vital safety parts on their cars, turning the spotlight on the team’s conduct both this year and potentially in seasons past. The Team Penske hit with Indianapolis 500 cheating penalties has cast a shadow of doubt over recent victories and raised urgent questions about the integrity of the competition at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
On Monday, IndyCar authorities penalized Team Penske after finding that Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 and Will Power’s No. 12 cars broke Rule 14.7.8.16, which bars modifications to rear attenuators, essential components designed for safety in crashes. Inspectors determined the seams were filled to create an aerodynamic edge, resulting in both drivers—who originally qualified in 11th and 12th—being relegated to the 32nd and 33rd spots, anchoring the back of the grid for the race. These revelations led to heightened scrutiny from fans and rivals alike, especially surrounding the team’s recent dominance at the Indianapolis 500.
The consequences also included substantial $200,000 fines, the suspension of key strategists, and loss of qualifying points for the affected entries. Team President Tim Cindric and Managing Director Ron Ruzewski are prohibited from participating in the event, and the penalized cars will select pit stalls last. Only Scott McLaughlin’s No. 3 car retained its 10th-place slot after passing inspection.
This marks the most significant disciplinary action faced by Roger Penske’s organization since acquiring both IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020. The incident has raised concerns that Newgarden’s historic consecutive Indy 500 victories in 2023 and 2024 might also have involved similar rule misinterpretations or outright violations, throwing past races into doubt and igniting intense debate across the motorsports community.
The evolving controversy intensified after an unsettling finding at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, where Newgarden’s 2024 race-winning car proudly sat. Analysis revealed its rear attenuator featured the same modifications for which Team Penske was just penalized. This evidence, reported by IndyStar, suggested a pattern stretching beyond a single year, although it cannot be confirmed if those specific changes were present on the car during the previous running of the Indianapolis 500.
Fueling the suspicion were signs that regulatory oversteps might have gone undetected for years. During the crucial pre-qualifying technical checks, officials caught members of the Penske crew apparently trying to undo the alterations right on pit lane. Video footage from Fox Sports showed engineers hurriedly scraping material from the suspect area before officials halted the process, underscoring the gravity and immediacy of the infraction.
During media briefings, INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles refrained from addressing the possibility of older, similar infractions head-on but did acknowledge intensifying calls to bring in neutral oversight for inspections and race operations. He underlined the organization’s commitment to upholding fairness and preventing any circumstances that could undermine trust—especially given Roger Penske’s unique status as both the owner of the series and of the high-profile team now under scrutiny.
he explained, referencing Team Penske’s central role and broad influence within the sport.
As rookie Robert Shwartzman stands poised to begin the Indianapolis 500 from pole position, Team Penske finds itself at a crossroads, needing to race from the back of the field in search of redemption. For IndyCar, the immediate priority is to mend its reputation and reinforce confidence in the fairness of its greatest spectacle, a challenge now magnified by the emotional and contentious nature of this unfolding scandal.
