Team Penske Got Caught Again By Jim Gandolf

Team Penske got caught again

By Jim Gandolf

IndyCar faces a delicate situation with the recent technical inspection failures of Team Penske's cars during Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Finding a solution that balances fairness, upholds the integrity of the competition, and addresses the seriousness of the violation is crucial. Here are some potential approaches IndyCar could consider:

Immediate Actions & Penalties:

 * Uphold the Current Penalty: The decision to disallow Newgarden and Power from the top 12 shootout and have all three Penske cars start further back should stand. This immediately impacts their chances for pole position, a significant disadvantage at Indianapolis.

 * Further Championship Point Penalties: Given this is the second significant rules violation by Team Penske in just over a year, IndyCar could consider additional championship point penalties for the drivers and/or the team. This would have a more lasting impact on the season standings.

 * Monetary Fines: Significant fines for the team could be levied to underscore the seriousness of altering a spec safety device. The fines should be substantial enough to act as a real deterrent.

 * Suspension of Key Personnel: IndyCar might consider suspending key team personnel involved in the modification for a set number of races, beyond the suspensions already implemented by Team Penske for the previous push-to-pass incident.

Reviewing and Strengthening Processes:

 * Enhanced Technical Inspection Protocols: IndyCar should review and potentially enhance its pre-qualifying and pre-race technical inspection processes. This could involve more detailed inspections of specific components and potentially more frequent checks.

 * Increased Scrutiny on Repeat Offenders: Teams with a history of rules violations, like Team Penske in recent times, could be subjected to more rigorous and frequent inspections.

 * Clearer Communication of Rules and Penalties: IndyCar should ensure that all teams have a crystal-clear understanding of the rules and the potential consequences of violations, especially concerning safety-related components like the rear attenuator. Bulletins and direct communication can help in this regard.

 * Review of Protest Procedures: IndyCar should ensure a clear and efficient process for teams to lodge protests if they suspect rules violations by competitors. The recent public accusation by Chip Ganassi highlights the need for a well-defined system.

Long-Term Considerations:

 * Independent Oversight: IndyCar could explore the possibility of having more independent technical scrutineers, potentially from outside the direct employ of the series, to ensure impartiality in the inspection process.

 * Transparency in Penalties: IndyCar should continue to be transparent in announcing rules violations and the penalties imposed, explaining the reasoning behind their decisions to maintain fan trust and the integrity of the sport.

 * Dialogue with Teams: Regular dialogue with team owners and technical directors is essential to address concerns, clarify rules, and foster a culture of compliance.

Specific to the Bodywork Modification:

 * Detailed Analysis of Intent: While Team Penske President Tim Cindric stated the modification was somewhat "random," IndyCar should conduct a thorough analysis to determine the extent of the performance advantage it might have provided and whether there was intent to circumvent the rules for competitive gain. This could influence the severity of the penalties.

 * Issuing a Technical Bulletin: IndyCar should issue a clear technical bulletin to all teams reiterating the specific regulations regarding bodywork and the prohibition of modifying spec safety devices.

In summary, a good solution would likely involve a combination of upholding the immediate penalties, implementing stricter review and enforcement processes, and ensuring clear communication and transparency moving forward. The goal should be to send a strong message that rules violations, especially those concerning safety or providing a significant competitive advantage, will not be tolerated, while also learning from these incidents to prevent future occurrences.

What Happened Yesterday 

Sunday, May 18, 2025, involving Team Penske during Indianapolis 500 qualifying.

Here's what happened:

 * Failed Inspections: The cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power failed technical inspection during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500.

 * Bodywork Modification: IndyCar officials found a modification to the rear attenuator on both cars. The rear attenuator is a spec safety device that is not allowed to be altered. Team Penske reportedly filled a seam to close off airflow over this part, potentially to reduce drag and increase straight-line speed.

 * Disqualification from Pole Contention: As a result of the failed inspections, both Newgarden and Power were disallowed from participating in the top 12 shootout for pole position.

 * McLaughlin's Incident: Earlier in the day, Scott McLaughlin, the pole winner from the previous year, crashed his car during practice. The team decided not to attempt to qualify that car for the top 12, meaning all three Penske cars were effectively out of contention for the pole.

 * Accusations of Cheating: Before the inspection results were announced, rival team owner Chip Ganassi publicly accused Team Penske of cheating, stating that others had noticed modifications to the Penske cars on Saturday.

 * Team Statement: Team Penske President Tim Cindric acknowledged the body fit violation on the rear attenuators of Newgarden's and Power's cars. He mentioned that IndyCar initially considered allowing the modifications and that Penske crew members were seen making adjustments. However, he conceded that the modifications are not permitted after inspection. He stated the issue was not present on McLaughlin's car and described it as "a bit of randomness internally there that we need to sort out."

This incident comes just over a year after the push-to-pass software controversy at the start of the 2024 season, again raising questions about rules compliance within Team Penske. The fact that it happened during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, the most prestigious race on the IndyCar calendar and an event deeply associated with Roger Penske, amplifies the significance of this latest issue.

It's important to note that while there are now two separate incidents of despair. 

The question should be, “Should the owner of the speedway, IMS, and the governing sanctioning body IndyCar own a Race Team?” 

By Jim Gandolf 

Author “500 Miles The Book” 

World Martial Authority 

Banking & Finance 

Bonded & Assured 

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