Kevin Harvick’s leadership example amid Indy 500 controversy has become a central focus in motorsports after Team Penske’s latest qualifying scandal threw the integrity of IndyCar racing into question. On May 20, 2025, Team Penske’s disqualification from the Top 12 Indy 500 qualifiers for a body-fit violation reignited calls for higher accountability and independent oversight, especially given Roger Penske’s deep influence over both the IndyCar Series and its headline race.
The 2025 Indy 500 qualifying weekend was rocked by another controversy involving Team Penske, harnessing intense scrutiny from across the IndyCar community. Despite previously facing backlash for a Push-to-Pass issue, Team Penske’s drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power were this time penalized for modifications to the rear attenuator—a critical safety component designed to manufacturer specifications. By sealing a seam to optimize airflow and reduce drag, the team attempted a technical advantage. The infraction was caught during inspection, sending Newgarden and Power to the very back of the starting lineup while teammate Scott McLaughlin, who crashed earlier, settled in 12th place.
The revelation of these actions has led to more than just sporting penalties. It has prompted widespread concern over the fairness and independence of the series itself, given Roger Penske’s role as both team owner and owner of the IndyCar Series, as well as the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The nature of the violation and its stage—the sport’s most prestigious race—intensified demands for reform and new governance to maintain trust in the competition.
Fallout and Integrity Questions Surrounding Team Penske
After the disqualification, the motorsports world quickly focused on the broader implications of Team Penske’s actions for racing’s credibility. The incident fueled parallel debates about the unique conflicts faced by Roger Penske, who must separate business interests from the responsibility to keep the playing field level. McLaren boss Zack Brown emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating,
“What a shame this cloud will continue to hover over our great race until everything is fully resolved.”
—Zack Brown, McLaren boss
Kevin Harvick’s approach as both a competitor and a co-owner in the CARS Tour Series has become a contrasting reference point. Like Penske, Harvick owns both a team and holds league ownership positions. However, Harvick has long advocated for transparency, higher scrutiny, and acceptance of stricter standards—especially for those who wield the most influence. Referencing past incidents with Kevin Harvick Incorporated (KHI), Harvick discussed the difficult lessons learned after being penalized under the series’ technical regulations.
He recounted,
“Here’s what I tell my guys. Look, we’ve been thrown out of the CARS tour before. We got thrown out of the first race that we won so that tells you my expectations from team owner, series owner as to how mine and Dale’s car should be under more scrutiny than everybody else’s, if you’re gonna do an hour’s worth of tech you should do two hours on our car and take more parts, because expectation is exactly that, you should hold the highest standard to the car and if my guys don’t do a good job, they should suffer more than everybody else.”
—Kevin Harvick, Co-Owner, CARS Tour Series (via Happy Hour Podcast)
Rather than contesting the decision, Harvick openly accepted the consequences and held his crew to a higher standard. He added,
“I’ve been very clear with my team after we had that first problem, to understand the rules. We didn’t read the current year’s rule book and didn’t do our due diligence. That’s how most of this stuff goes down.”
—Kevin Harvick, Co-Owner, CARS Tour Series
For Harvick and partners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks, the disqualification of KHI’s No. 62 car driven by Layne Riggs highlighted the need for unwavering integrity. The post-race inspection at Caraway Speedway found the car’s sway bar end not within permitted length. Instead of blaming inspectors, Harvick’s group recognized oversight and called for responsibility.
KHI’s approach was echoed by crew chief Rodney Childers, who said,
“I know everyone will say it’s cheating and pushing the limits, but hand on my heart, I had no idea you couldn’t run big end sway bars in the CARS Tour.”
—Rodney Childers, Crew Chief
Rival Owners and Escalating Pressure on Penske
As calls for reform grew louder, prominent voices within the IndyCar paddock pressed for even stricter standards and greater transparency. Rival owner Chip Ganassi, in particular, expressed deep concerns that the episode threatened to compromise trust in motorsport and diminish the value of its biggest brands. Speaking to the inspection process and Penske’s unique responsibilities, Ganassi argued,
“I think all teams have a certain responsibility to uphold the integrity of the sport, in any series, and no team more than Team Penske. They’ve had so much success over the years, and it’s a team that everybody has heard of… So they need to be held to a higher standard to protect the sport, especially with the investment Roger Penske has at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series, for that matter.”
—Chip Ganassi, Team Owner
Ganassi was among those who formally notified IndyCar officials of possible irregularities with Penske’s cars during that tense qualifying Sunday. The aftermath—the relegation of Newgarden and Power to the back of the grid—was not viewed as a sufficient resolution by several key figures. They urged further action, such as independent audits, to ensure the sport’s reputation could recover.
Stoking further speculation, social media circulated images of Newgarden’s 2024 Indy 500-winning car, which reportedly displayed similar modifications. The development sparked debate over whether previous results might warrant review or retroactive penalties—an unresolved and contentious issue as the championship draws renewed fan attention.
The Road Ahead: Can Leadership Rebuild Trust?
As scrutiny persists, the controversy prompts a stark question for the sport: Should Roger Penske consider stepping back from direct involvement in IndyCar operations to ensure an unbiased and fair environment? Amid mounting external pressure and heightened skepticism, the example set by Kevin Harvick resonates—with openness to oversight, willingness to accept penalties, and a call for the highest standards from those in power. The lessons from Harvick’s experience, especially when his team faced similar scrutiny, offer a pathway for restoring credibility in American motorsports at its highest levels.
The fallout at Team Penske shows no signs of letting up, and with rival owners like Ganassi demanding transparency and accountability, meaningful change may be the only way forward for IndyCar as it seeks to reassure fans, sponsors, and participants of its integrity. The continued debate surrounding Kevin Harvick’s leadership example amid Indy 500 controversy underscores the urgent need for reform that balances tradition, competition, and fairness in one of America’s most storied racing series.
