One Year Later Team Penske Is Back on Track
Chris Jones/Penske Entertainment
By Dennis Krause
With rain postponing qualifying for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 until Sunday, it’s worth revisiting events from Pole Day last year when Team Penske was thrust into a scandal that would ultimately reshape the most successful team in 500 history.
It was discovered during technical inspection that the rear attenuators on cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power had been altered. Whether the modifications were for competitive or aesthetic reasons, it didn’t matter. The modifications were unapproved by INDYCAR rules, sending Newgarden and Power to the rear of the field for the race while Scott McLaughlin was allowed to keep his starting position as his car was not similarly altered.
When it was further revealed that Newgarden’s winning car from the 2024 500 had the same modifications, it caused even more outrage from competitors.
Initially, Team Penske president Tim Cindric and managing director Ron Ruzewski were initially suspended and the teams fined. As the controversy continued to paint his team in a bad light, Roger Penske fired Cindric, Ruzewski and general manager Kyle Moyer days before the race.
Chris Jones/Penske Entertainment
Fast forward to this year, new management is in place with Jonathan Diuguid in place as team president. According to Diuguid, it wasn’t until late last season that the team began to retake its usual form.
“Obviously call it turmoil, whatever you want to call it, that we had here. It took some time to get over and time to structure ourselves appropriately. I think you could see towards the end of the year the team was operating on top form again. We captured two wins and won the final race of the year. Already captured a win here in Phoenix, a few poles already. Our performance here at the Speedway this year has been strong.
“A lot of teams are built around process,” Diuguid continued. “Specifically in our reorganization, we promoted a lot from within, leaned on the strengths we had. It is a different team, a different group. Mainly the approach we're taking it very similar. We've improved in a lot of areas, too, to be honest.
"I think we've got a strong group and everybody is pushing the rock the same direction.”
Diuguid (l) and Newgarden (r)
Matt Fraver/Penske Entertainment
Despite the personnel changes, Newgarden says he hasn’t noticed a difference.
“I think in a lot of ways it feels completely the same to me. The great thing about this group is most people that walk through these doors, they're here for a very long time, which is unique. I think the average tenure has got to be at least 10 years, maybe longer.
“It hasn't changed much to me. I remember Jonathan was engineering Helio (Castroneves) at the time. Funny, you get to work with a lot of different people in the group. You always hope you get to work with different people in certain capacities. Jonathan was one of these guys, I would love to work with Jonathan. I had a great engineer already.
“Funny how it cycles around. You see strengths in everybody within this group. What I'm trying contextualize for you is that there might be movements within the organization, but to me it feels the same every day I walk in the door. I would say the same today.”
Diuguid detailed some of the changes he made to stabilize the situation and get the team back on track towards the end of last season when it won two of the final three races.
“Yeah, I think we had a very strong team before. We have a very strong team now. We promoted some people into some different roles, created a different team structure.
“We have Dave Faustino, technical director, focused on technical development of the car. Ben Bretzman is overseeing the at-track operations from the engineering side. We didn't have those roles before. They were split between different team. Now having focused accountability has been quite strong. We have a continuous development path while people are at the racetrack and people back at the shop.
“Reacting to some of the personnel limitations that I viewed we had before was probably the biggest thing. Adding some capacity by promoting some people, it's paid dividends, and it's going to continue to in the near future, as well.”
Matt Fraser/Penske Entertainment
Throughout Team Penske’s 60-year history, there have been different management eras. Along with Faustino and Bretzman, Diuguid feels this is their opportunity to shine in a leadership role.
“Yeah, I think so. We put people in these positions, we try not to micromanage them. For them to be able to put their touch on certain things, it's important for them to have accountability but also share in the successes, too, as well.
“Indianapolis is the absolute benchmark and absolute test of everything. I guess time will tell here in a few weeks if we made the right decisions and put the cars in the right position to end up in Victory Lane. That's the ultimate goal and judgment.
“We can feel good about finishing 10th, but that's not what we come here for. We come here to win first place and take home the trophy.
“Really excited to work with those guys. A peer challenge environment: I challenge them, they challenge me. I think the solutions that come out the backside, we are better for it. The amount of respect that everybody has for what everybody is bringing to the table is extremely positive. It's a good working environment.”
Tasked with new responsibilities, Diuguid is in position to thrive.
“It's a challenge,” replied Diuguid. “That's probably the best way I would describe it. I have my own internal goals, use that to determine if I'm thriving or not. The finishing position is how the rest of the world views it.
“In general, I'm quite happy with wherever the team is. I'd say we're not done with what we're pushing on. Hope to continue to raise our form and be in Victory Lane more regularly.”
Dennis Krause has spent decades covering all forms of motorsports, including over 40 Indianapolis 500s, with stints at WIBA Radio, PIT PASS - Radio’s Premier Motorsports Magazine and Motorsports Minute. Follow him on X @DennisKrause500 or motorsportsminute.bluesky.social or motorsportsminute on Threads or MotorsportsMinute+ on Facebook.