INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The only laps two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden turned during qualifying Sunday were on foot after Team Penske was disqualified from making a run at the pole.
Scott McLaughlin crashed, Newgarden and Will Power failed inspection, and the three Penske drivers who swept the front row for last year's 500 will now start in the fourth row. It was a devastating blow to the team owned by Roger Penske, who also owns IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500, which he has won a record 20 times.
The day got off to a horrible start when McLaughlin, last year's pole-sitter, crashed in morning practice and Team Penske decided it wouldn't even bother sending him out for the fast 12 shootout and just accept the 12th starting spot in the field.
Then, moments before the shootout began, rival team owner Chip Ganassi was among a chorus of competitors who accused Team Penske of cheating. Others said they noticed the modification during Saturday's first day of qualifying.
Right after Ganassi was seen complaining to a Penske executive, the cars for Newgarden and Power returned to the garage. IndyCar announced the two cars had failed inspection and would not be allowed to qualify.
IndyCar technical director Kevin Blanch said Newgarden's and Power’s cars had “a body fit violation on the rear attenuator.” It is assumed that the modification was an attempt to gain an aerodynamic advantage.
The rear attenuator is a safety device designed to absorb and reduce the force of impacts. It is a spec part that is not allowed to be modified. Team Penske filled a seam to close off airflow over the attenuator in an attempt to reduce drag — which could potentially improve straight-line speed.
Tim Cindric, president of Penske's IndyCar program, said Power passed inspection but officials flagged Newgarden's car. He also said the modification was not on McLaughlin's car.
“It was a bit of randomness internally there that we need to sort out,” Cindric said. He said IndyCar initially was going to allow modifications and Team Penske crew members were seen on pit road making adjustments.
But, Cindric acknowledged that modifications are not permitted after inspection and he also understood if other teams complained about the Penske cars.
“It's a shame we didn't give our guys a chance to go for it,” Cindric said.
Newgarden, who is trying to become the first driver in 109 years to win three consecutive Indy 500s, was a contender to win the pole and was seen running off his anger in the infield of the speedway as another qualifying session roared on around him.
The punishment meant that the front row from last year will now start side-by-side-by-side in the fourth row in 10th, 11th and 12th.
A year ago, Team Penske was caught in a push-to-pass scandal in which Newgarden was found to have access to the additional boost of horsepower when he should not have. He was stripped of his season-opening victory and Penske suspended Cindric for two races, which included the Indy 500.
Also suspended was team managing director Ron Ruzewski, Newgarden engineer Luke Mason and senior data engineer Robbie Atkinson.
The fast 12 was also reduced to just nine cars attempting to advance to the final qualifying round, when six drivers compete for the pole for the May 25 race. The six to advance were Felix Rosenqvist, Pato O'Ward, rookie Robert Shwartzman, Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Takuma Sato.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
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