Team Penske Scandal Big Topic Ahead Of Indy 500
(Photo by Paul Hurley/Penske Entertainment)
By Dennis Krause
It’s the story that has overtaken the lead-up to the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 - the biggest race of the year for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
Instead of rookie pole-winner Robert Shwartzman or Josef Newgarden’s quest for a third-straight Indy 500 win or Kyle Larson’s second attempt at doing the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double or the how the new hybrid system will impact Sunday’s sold-out race - the qualifying rules violations that landed two Team Penske cars on the back row of the starting grid and the subsequent dismissal of three of the team’s most senior employees - is the leading topic of conversation at Indy.
Gone are Team Penske’s INDYCAR team president Tim Cindric, INDYCAR managing director Ron Ruzewski and INDYCAR general manager Kyle Moyer. Had it happened to a lesser team the whole thing would likely have blown over by now. Instead, it happened to the most successful team in Indy 500 history.
(Photo by Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment)
For Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, it was more than a professional loss, it personal as well.
“Yeah, it's kind of a shock and a pity. They're all extremely good at their job. It was just the pressure from outside. I guess Roger had to make a tough decision, but I can tell you these were very credible people. They really were. As you know, the infraction was very minor. It wasn't a performance gain.
“I called Ron. Obviously he's on my car. I didn't get him. But yeah, I feel bad for everyone involved in that situation. I really do. It's just a tough -- I don't know what else to say. They're all extremely good people, great at their job, won a lot of races, championships, created an incredible team.
“Yeah, a real pity.”
Power said team owner Roger Penske met with him personally to explain why he made the moves he did.
“I know it was very tough for him. He said that. It's obviously a very tough decision to make. He said he didn't sleep the night before because he had to make a very hard decision.
“I feel bad for him. He's in a very tough spot in that situation. It wasn't really a long conversation with us. He just explained what happened. You could tell it was heavy on him. Tough, tough for him to have to do that.”
Given that this was the second major scandal his team has been involved in in the last 15-months, Penske needed to move to quickly and decisively to demonstrate the integrity and credibility of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the series and the team, all under his ownership.
“I think Roger moves forward very quickly,” said Power. “I know him over the years, he makes decisions. He moves forward. Doesn't dwell on it. Starts looking at what is absolutely best for the team and everyone to move forward. That's Roger. That's why he's so successful.
"He's not going to sit and spend a month worrying about what happened. I think he's how can we fix this and let's move forward and make sure it doesn't happen again.”
(Photo by James Black/Penske Entertainment)
While his car wasn’t involved in the controversy, Scott McLaughlin, driver of the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet, was disappointed in how everything went down.
"Ultimately, those three guys are friends of mine and have done a tremendous amount in my career to get me to this point. I guess you could say there's a sadness from my perspective.
“At the end of the day I drive for Roger Penske. I respect the decision. I understand the decision. We move forward. I think I'm disappointed in some of my peers and people in this room (the media center), just how it was taken out of proportion in some ways.
“At the same time, I think people forget just what Roger's done for this sport in general, and that definitely gets thrown to the side a little bit, which I find a hard time not being passionate about that.
“But ultimately what's done is done. This happened. We have to move forward. The penalties are accepted. Personally I think I had the fastest car, I put it in the fence. I didn't have what was said. Smart people in this paddock know there was no gain with that, you know?
“It's frustrating that this is blown up like it has and it's cost three people that I'm very close with their jobs. But overall, my view on it right now is just to focus forward and win Roger his 21st.”
(Photo by Chris Jones/Penske Entertainment)
The controversy and distractions swirling around the team come at a crucial time as Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO+ Team Penske Chevrolet, goes for an unprecedented third straight Indy 500 win. On Media Day, Thursday, Newgarden refused to be drawn into what happened last weekend and earlier this week.
“I don't want to disappoint or offend anybody. I'm here to talk about the race. I'm here with my team. I'm ready to go racing. I love this race. My goodness, I've been enjoying being here this whole time. I look forward to it every year, as we all do. Ready to go to work with our group.
“Proud of everything that we have done up to this point. Ready to go racing. So that's what I got to say.
“Right now I'm trying to remain - what's the way to put this - trying to remain happy. This is the Indy 500. I look forward to this time of year every season.
“I can't wait. We're going to have a sold-out crowd here for the Indianapolis 500, as it should be. To see all the people that show up and make this what it is, I look forward to that.
“That's how I feel right now. I'm ready to go racing. I know I have a good car. I'm ready to work with my team and hopefully put on a good show. There's no guarantees, but I'm ready to rock.”
(Photo by James Black/Penske Entertainment)
Power says he isn’t about to let all the noise going on around the team distract him from the job at hand Sunday.
“Yeah, I've been around long enough to shut that stuff out and still focus on the thing that you're here to do, and that's to get the absolute most out of the car. You still have to do your homework. You can't be distracted by all this. My main focus is Sunday, and that's true. I'm not too swept up in it. I've got plenty of time after the race to think about that, but we're coming up on the biggest race of the year for us.
“I think everyone -- I feel like everyone on the team is positive and very motivated. I think being the driver you need to show that this is not affecting you, and you're very focused on the job at hand, and I am. I am. I haven't allowed too much emotional stress to take away energy that I need on Sunday.
“Tough situation, but we still got a job to do.”
When it comes to the Indy 500, there’s no such thing as extra motivation needed. But Power looks at this weekend as a chance for everyone on the team to pull together and rise above it all.
“I think it just kind of makes you lock in. I think everyone is just locked in on the job. People have to step up now because we're missing some key individuals, and that can be motivating for people. Like, all right, I've got to take on more work and responsibility. You know, that's all of us in the team right now.
“I think you get the best out of people in those situations. No one is ever ready for that. That's why competition is so good. I think that's what always gets the best out of me is tough situations. You see how good you really are.”
Given that it was a rival team that seemed to point out to INDYCAR officials the rules violaion on his car, Power couldn’t be blamed for carrying a chip on his shoulder going into the 500. He claims he isn’t.
“Yeah, no, I don't know what I'm allowed to say, but I know what happened. Obviously, you want to -- I just want to do a good job for all the guys on the team on Sunday. I'm just very focused on the race. Not really out to get anyone.
“It's the circumstance that it is, and we're all very motivated to have a good day, sort of try to put this stuff behind us. News cycles move pretty quick, so if you can throw a win in there, that would certainly be a good way to move forward.”
Moving forward and changing the topic is exactly what the Speedway, the series and Team Penske would like to do.
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.