Roger Penske has addressed rival teams’ suspicions regarding the legality of Josef Newgarden’s Indy 500-winning car from last year, amid ongoing disputes about technical compliance. The controversy intensified after Newgarden and his Team Penske teammate Will Power failed a technical inspection prior to Fast 12 Qualifying due to an unauthorized modification on the rear attenuator, forcing them to start at the back of the grid.
There have been claims that the winning car, now displayed in a museum, featured similar parts which are currently deemed illegal. Pato O’Ward, who lost position to Newgarden on the final lap of the 2024 race, has openly expressed his frustration and confusion over the situation.
Roger Penske Asserts Compliance of Last Year’s Winning Car
Despite the current accusations, Roger Penske strongly maintains that no rules were broken during Newgarden’s 2024 victory. Speaking with Fox, Penske explained that the attenuators in question were part of a batch of nine modified by manufacturer Dallara at the start of 2024, which had been rotated among cars over the past 15 months. He emphasized that newer attenuators purchased by the team were included in the same batch, underscoring that Scott McLaughlin’s car did not face any issues, indicating a consistent approach across the team.
Penske reflected on the officials’ reaction on the recent race weekend and emphasized the thorough inspection conducted after the 2024 race.
“But when I go back to 2024… that car was taken apart piece-by-piece in detail following the race. It was said to be completely legal for the win,”
he said.
Penalties and Fallout for Team Penske
As a result of the latest inspection failure, Newgarden and Power will start at the rear of the 33-car field for this year’s Indy 500. Team Penske has also faced a fine and significant internal changes, including the departure of three executives, among them Tim Cindric. Roger Penske expressed deep disappointment with the team’s repeated rule violations that have sparked two controversies within a short period, referencing the previous ‘push to pass’ incident.
However, Penske rejected calls to ban Newgarden and Power from participating in the race. He clarified that the cars had initially passed inspection on Saturday, receiving the required sticker and qualifying within the top 12. The issues only arose on Sunday, prompting the team to withdraw one car from the session as officials raised questions.
“From that point on, there was a question about our cars on Sunday,”
Penske said.
“But as far as I’m concerned, they’ve earned the right to be in the 109th Running of the Indy 500.”
Considering the Impact on Team and Sport Integrity
The claims surrounding Josef Newgarden’s Indy 500 winner legality controversy continue to stir tension across the paddock, putting Team Penske under intense scrutiny. The confirmed penalties and executive departures highlight the serious consequences of technical breaches in IndyCar racing. As the race weekend unfolds, the situation underscores the challenges teams face in balancing performance and compliance, while preserving fair competition and respect among rivals.
