P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Following Sunday’s revelation that Team Penske had illegally modified the attenuator on two of its cars leading up to qualifying, IndyCar has levied heavy penalties on the team. The most consequential sporting penalty is that Josef Newgarden and Will Power will be moved to the back row of the grid for the Indy 500. Both […]
Following the discovery that Team Penske had unlawfully altered the attenuator on two of its cars before qualifying, IndyCar has imposed severe penalties on the team, including moving Josef Newgarden and Will Power to the back row for the Indy 500.
Both drivers had the unauthorized modifications on their cars, affecting their qualifying runs, resulting in their starting positions being 32nd and 33rd instead of the fourth row.
The team loses the qualifying points and faces a $100,000 fine for each entry, with their strategists suspended for the remainder of the event.
The violation involved applying bodywork repair substance to the attenuator, breaching IndyCar rules against any modifications to that part, aimed at smoothing out seams for aerodynamic gain.
IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles stressed the importance of upholding the race’s integrity, stating that starting from the back of the field was an adequate penalty for the team’s actions.
This is not the first time Team Penske has faced controversy, as they were previously penalized for using illegal software at the 2024 season-opener, with wins stripped and fines imposed.
IndyCar aims to maintain fair competition and credibility, ensuring that the racing remains top-notch and conducted under transparent and level conditions leading up to the Indianapolis 500.
