Josef Newgarden addressed recent developments regarding Team Penske race strategist changes as Tim Cindric returned to the team in a new capacity ahead of the 2026 IndyCar season. Speaking from St. Petersburg during the opening race weekend, Newgarden discussed how these moves impacted both his dynamic and the broader group as Team Penske adapts following a high-profile management shake-up triggered by the previous year’s Indy 500 scandal.
Cindric Returns After Team Shake-Up
During May of the prior season, Roger Penske, owner of both Team Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dismissed key management figures—Tim Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and General Manager Kyle Moyer—after the team was embroiled in controversy at the Indy 500. Illegally modified rear attenuators were found on the cars of both Josef Newgarden and Will Power during qualifying, raising questions among fans and competitors, especially as this scandal followed a similar rules issue from the St. Pete push-to-pass incident earlier in 2024.
Following their departure, Ruzewski and Moyer joined Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren. However, Roger Penske soon reinstated Tim Cindric as race strategist, not for Newgarden, but for Scott McLaughlin, who races the No. 3 Chevrolet. McLaughlin immediately set the pace, topping the first practice session on Friday, and reported that his car felt fast and competitive under Cindric’s renewed guidance.
Newgarden’s Perspective on Strategic Changes
After these Team Penske race strategist changes, Josef Newgarden faces his own adjustment as his new race strategist for 2026 is Jonathan Diguid. Diguid, who was promoted from his previous role as director of Porsche Penske Motorsport in IMSA and had formerly worked with Newgarden, now serves as Team Penske president and full-time strategist for Newgarden’s IndyCar efforts.
At the Friday press conference, Newgarden was asked how the dynamic had shifted now that Cindric is back at Team Penske, but no longer on his pit stand. Newgarden explained,
“Not that different because we’re all on the team together,”
the two-time Indy 500 winner replied.
“We’re all in the trucks together. So a lot of it feels the same to me. You know, I’m used to having different voices recently. I must have had four or five different voices over the last two years. To me it doesn’t feel that different.”
– Josef Newgarden, Driver
This insight highlights both the continuity within the team and Newgarden’s adaptability as he cycles through various strategists. The Penske squad’s structure involves close collaboration, even as roles and assignments shift—whether under the guidance of Tim Cindric, Jonathan Diguid, or other strategy leaders within the pit lane, such as Travis Law for David Malukas.
Adapting to a New Strategist on the Pit Wall
When pressed about how it feels to work with Diguid in this new setup, Newgarden stated,
“I think so. I mean, you know, they’re all – I mean, I’ve said this in the past. I think you could plug into any one of these cars at Team Penske, and you would have a great unit around you. It really almost doesn’t matter. Same thing with Travis Law (David Malukas’ strategist). You know, you’re going to take Travis, Tim (Cindric), Johnny (Diguid), or any of these guys around, they’re all solid teams.”
– Josef Newgarden, Driver
The culture of flexibility and trust appears to be a hallmark among Team Penske’s top performers. Newgarden continued regarding trust in the pit wall team:
“As I was saying before, I’ve had three or four different people in my ear over the last couple of years, and they’re all pretty good to me. So it’s not really a pick-and-choose type scenario, but I don’t think it’s going to be a hard transition. He’s been on the radio with me before, and I think we’ve got a great group. I come back to that original point, though. You could step into any one of these cars right now, even if we all wanted to switch throughout the weekend, I think we would all be in a good spot. I really mean that,”
Josef Newgarden added.
Challenges on Track Amid Transition
While the environment remains stable, the start to Newgarden’s 2026 season has been mixed. His first practice session at St. Pete ended early after a spin and crash, placing him 14th, and he concluded Practice 2 in 20th, leaving him unlikely to challenge for a qualifying top six. Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin, supported by the returning Tim Cindric, led in practice and displayed instant pace.
Across the pit lane, former Penske leaders Ron Ruzewski and Kyle Moyer are now working with Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren, underscoring the extent of recent personnel changes within the IndyCar paddock and highlighting the widespread impact of last year’s events on management roles throughout top teams.
Significance for Team Penske and IndyCar
The recent Team Penske race strategist changes not only shape the outlook for Josef Newgarden and his fellow drivers but also reflect the team’s emphasis on resilience and shared responsibility. With figures like Roger Penske and Tim Cindric still prominent, and Jonathan Diguid taking on expanded duties, Team Penske continues to adapt under the microscope after high-profile rules controversies. The team’s capacity for regrouping and maintaining internal cohesion may prove decisive as the competitive IndyCar season unfolds, and the effects of these strategic moves will be closely watched by both fans and rival organizations.
