Team Penske, a dominant force in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and defending powerhouse at the Indianapolis 500, experienced a major blow during qualifying Sunday that has sent shockwaves through the racing world. Two-time defending Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and teammate Will Power were disqualified from making a pole run after failing technical inspection, while Scott McLaughlin crashed during practice, leading all three Penske drivers to start on the fourth row. This unexpected turn of events rocked the team owned by Roger Penske, who also owns IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and holds a record 20 Indy 500 victories as an owner.
McLaughlin’s Crash and the Failed Inspection Shake Penske’s Chances
The drama unfolded early Sunday morning when Scott McLaughlin, the pole-sitter from last year’s Indy 500, crashed heavily during morning practice. The damage to his No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet was significant enough that the team elected not to send him out for the Fast 12 qualifying session, accepting a 12th-place start instead. This was a disappointing development for McLaughlin and the team, who had hoped to build on last year’s success.
The situation deteriorated further moments before the Fast 12 qualifying shootout began. Rival team owner Chip Ganassi, along with several other competitors, voiced concerns about potential rule violations by Team Penske. They claimed to have noticed a suspicious modification on the cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power during Saturday’s qualifying session.
Following these complaints, both cars were pulled back to the garage, and IndyCar officials announced that Newgarden and Power had failed post-qualifying technical inspection due to a violation of INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16 — specifically, an unapproved modification to the rear attenuator of their cars. This part is a safety device designed to absorb impact forces and is strictly regulated, prohibiting any alterations.
IndyCar technical director Kevin Blanch explained the violation, stating, “Newgarden’s and Power’s cars had a body fit violation on the rear attenuator.” The modification reportedly involved filling a seam to close off airflow over the attenuator, likely intended to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve straight-line speed.
Tim Cindric, president of Penske’s IndyCar program, clarified that while Power’s car initially passed inspection, Newgarden’s car was flagged later. He also confirmed the modification was not present on McLaughlin’s car. “It was a bit of randomness internally there that we need to sort out,” said Cindric. He added that IndyCar initially allowed modifications and Penske’s crew made some adjustments on pit road, but ultimately acknowledged, “modifications are not permitted after inspection,” and expressed understanding of complaints from other teams.
Cindric admitted it was a “shame” that Penske’s drivers were denied the chance to compete for the pole, a sentiment echoed throughout the paddock.
Fallout and Reactions from the Racing Community
Josef Newgarden, who had been seeking to become the first driver in over a century to win three consecutive Indianapolis 500s, was left to pace the infield on foot as the qualifying session continued without him. Frustrated but composed, Newgarden’s presence underscored the heavy price Penske paid for the violation.
Meanwhile, rival driver Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren Racing voiced his disapproval of the situation and IndyCar’s decision. O’Ward suggested that the Penske cars should have been penalized earlier and forced to compete in Last Chance Qualifying to re-earn their spots in the 33-car field. “They weren’t accidentally doing it because they had the blowtorch there in order to get it out,” said O’Ward, referencing evidence of active modification efforts.
O’Ward sympathized with the drivers who had to fight for the last three spots, including Jacob Abel, who ultimately missed the race. “I feel bad for Abel and everybody who did the last-chance qualifying. Those cars weren’t in regulation,” O’Ward added. “Those cars should have been in the last-chance qualifier … because they had that yesterday, I guarantee you. Until someone pointed it out today. If they were disqualified today, they should have been disqualified yesterday.”
He also openly questioned why Team Penske, known as one of the sport’s most successful and respected teams, would risk bending the rules. “It’s a shame. They don’t need to be doing that stuff,” O’Ward said. “They’re a great team. They have great drivers. Why are you doing that? It makes no sense.”
Currently, the only penalty for Team Penske is that Newgarden, Power, and McLaughlin will start in the fourth row in 10th, 11th, and 12th positions respectively — a far cry from their usual front-row dominance. Doug Boles, president of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, stated that any further penalties will be determined after the race weekend. “It’s not something that we deal with in the middle of a racing weekend and likely here we won’t deal with it in the middle of the race,” Boles said. “We’ll deal with it following the Indianapolis 500.”
This controversy adds to recent struggles for Penske, who last year faced penalties in a push-to-pass scandal involving Newgarden’s unauthorized horsepower boost. That incident cost Newgarden a race victory and led to suspensions for key team members including Tim Cindric.
New Qualifying Front-Runner Emerges as Team Penske Stumbles
With Team Penske’s fast 12 qualifying session reduced to just nine cars, the field for the pole shootout narrowed significantly. Six drivers advanced to the final round to compete for the coveted top starting spot for the May 25 race.
Among those who advanced were Felix Rosenqvist, Pato O’Ward, rookie sensation Robert Shwartzman, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, and Takuma Sato. Shwartzman’s stunning performance earned him the pole position, making him the first Israeli driver to ever qualify on the Indy 500 pole and the first rookie to do so since Teo Fabi in 1983.
This surprising result added another layer of intrigue to an already tumultuous qualifying weekend. While Team Penske wrestled with controversy and setbacks, fresh talent and rival teams seized the moment to shine in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
