INDYCAR imposes severe penalties on Team Penske for illegal modifications

INDYCAR announced severe penalties for Team Penske on Monday after confirming technical violations on two of its cars during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. The #2 and #12 cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power respectively will start from 32nd and 33rd positions on the grid after illegal modifications were found on their rear attenuators.

In IndyCar, attenuators are safety devices designed to absorb impact energy during collisions. Specifically, rear attenuators are structural components located at the back of the car that act as programmed crumple zones to protect the driver in case of a rear impact. These elements are critical for vehicle safety, which is why INDYCAR rules (like the mentioned Rule 14.7.8.16) require they be used "as supplied" by the official manufacturer without modifications. This ensures all attenuators meet established safety standards.

In Team Penske's violation, the unauthorized modifications to these components are considered serious because: 1) they could affect the vehicle's aerodynamic performance, providing an unfair competitive advantage; 2) they potentially compromise the safety function they were designed for; and 3) they violate testing integrity by modifying a standardized part.

The series confirmed both vehicles violated INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16, which prohibits modifications to parts that must be used "as supplied." After thorough review Sunday night and Monday morning, officials determined the penalty needed to be more severe than simply relegating the cars to their original qualifying positions.

The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the rule against modifying this part is clear. The penalty must be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway.

Multiple penalties for the championship team

The consequences for Team Penske go beyond grid positions. INDYCAR announced additional sanctions including:

• Suspension of the #2 and #12 car strategists for the remainder of the event
• Loss of Indianapolis 500 qualifying points
• $100,000 fine for each entry
• Loss of pit positions, requiring them to select their spots after the rest of the field

The decision represents a heavy blow for the team, especially for Newgarden, who was seeking his third consecutive victory in the calendar's most iconic race.

McLaughlin escapes penalties

The third Team Penske car, the #3 driven by Scott McLaughlin, did not attempt to qualify in Sunday's Top 12 due to a crash during prior practice. After detailed review, INDYCAR determined this car used a legal, unmodified attenuator.

"After reviewing the car and confiscating the #3's attenuator, INDYCAR found the car actually used a legal, unmodified device," explained the official statement. As a result, McLaughlin will keep his 10th starting position, corresponding to the last spot among those who had qualified for the Top 12.

A message about competitive fairness

The imposed penalties demonstrate INDYCAR's commitment to maintaining sporting integrity and ensuring fair conditions for all participants.

"The positive momentum around the NTT INDYCAR Series and the Indianapolis 500 has been steadily growing in recent months, and we want to make clear our intention to maintain that progress and discourage teams from putting INDYCAR in positions where the integrity of our officiating and race fairness is questioned," emphasized Boles.

The INDYCAR president added that the organization will do everything possible to ensure this weekend's race runs under completely fair conditions, where the best win on their own merits.