Josef Newgarden Team Penske continues to lead IndyCar racing with a combination of skill, precision strategy, and a high-performing team environment. Team Penske, under Roger Penske’s leadership, holds 17 IndyCar championships and leads with 20 Indy 500 victories, including two wins driven by Newgarden with the critical support of his race strategist Luke Mason. This partnership reveals the deeper elements fueling their success in the highly competitive world of IndyCar.
The Expertise Behind Team Penske’s Dominance in IndyCar
Luke Mason, who joined Team Penske in 2022 as a performance engineer before becoming Josef Newgarden’s race engineer in 2023, has shared insights into what sets the organization apart. Unlike his earlier experience with Carlin Motorsport, where the environment felt more pressure-driven, Mason found Team Penske’s culture uniquely supportive and success-oriented. He described the moment of entering the team as eye-opening, emphasizing how the people behind the organization shape its unmatched legacy.
“You take all those learnings and everything that you’ve built up over your career there to maybe be fortunate enough to have the door open to come to Team Penske. At that point, you’re ready, and it’s not until you step in the door and meet the people who made that company and organisation who it is, you understand how and why.”
— Luke Mason, Race Engineer
Mason highlighted the feeling of achievement and the privilege of working alongside champions such as Will Power, who clinched a championship during Mason’s first year on the team, and Newgarden, who claimed back-to-back Indy 500 wins in 2023 and 2024.
“Now to be to be a part of that and to have success at Team Penske, whether it’s Will’s championship the first year (2023) I was there, and then moving on to Josef’s two 500s (2023 and 2024), it’s a very special place to be and you don’t take it for granted every day when you walk into work that you’re surrounded by successful people.”
— Luke Mason, Race Engineer
2025 Indy 500 Controversy and Its Impact on Team Penske Leadership
The 2025 Indy 500 qualifying weekend marked a turbulent moment for Team Penske when both Josef Newgarden’s and Will Power’s cars, entries No. 2 and No. 12 respectively, failed technical inspection due to illegal rear attenuator modifications. IndyCar penalized both with $100,000 fines and relegated them to the back of the 33-car grid.
This scandal triggered significant upheaval within Team Penske’s IndyCar management, leading Roger Penske to dismiss senior figures including president Tim Cindric and managing director Ron Ruzewski, who had also served as race strategists for Newgarden and Power. Their departure left a leadership void mere days before the race, forcing the team to promote internal talent swiftly.
Luke Mason’s Rise to Race Strategist Amid a Critical Season
In response to the crisis, Luke Mason stepped up from race engineer to race strategist for Josef Newgarden, tasked with guiding him through the remainder of the season. This unexpected promotion placed Mason at the strategic helm during a vital period, highlighting both his technical acumen and ability to adapt under pressure.
Newgarden’s performance at the 109th Indy 500 under Mason’s strategic direction was remarkable, moving from 32nd position on the grid into a Top 5 standing through exceptional racecraft and well-timed pit stops. Despite this impressive recovery, a fuel system failure late in the race forced Newgarden’s retirement, denying the pairing a potential victory but underlining the strength of their collaboration.
The Importance of Team Culture and Strategy Moving Forward
Team Penske’s swift actions following the 2025 scandal and the promotion of Luke Mason illustrate the organization’s resilience and commitment to maintaining a winning environment. Mason’s progression represents a shift in responsibility that complements Newgarden’s driving expertise and showcases how vital internal development is for enduring success.
As Team Penske looks ahead, the combination of experienced drivers like Josef Newgarden and dedicated staff members such as Mason will be crucial for navigating competitive challenges and continuing the team’s historic dominance in IndyCar. Resolving technical compliance issues and reinforcing leadership stability will likely define their approach in the upcoming races and seasons.
