Team Penske Faces Leadership Shakeup Amid Cheating Scandal
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Roger Penske has taken decisive action following a cheating scandal, dismissing Team Penske’s top three executives: President Tim Cindric, IndyCar Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and IndyCar General Manager Kyle Moyer. Will Power, a key driver for the team, revealed that Penske made the difficult decision after a sleepless night, contemplating the consequences of the scandal before the Indianapolis 500.
The layoffs came after both Power and two-time defending champion Josef Newgarden’s cars failed inspection for modifying a rear attenuator, a safety component. While IndyCar found no evidence of performance advantage, the team’s infractions marked a second significant technical violation within a year, as Newgarden was stripped of a previous victory for illegal access to their push-to-pass system.
Newgarden opted to focus on the upcoming race rather than the controversy, remarking, “I love this race,” and emphasizing the team’s readiness. Despite being relegated to 32nd on the starting grid, he remained optimistic about his chances, stating, “There’s no bad seat in this house.”
Power acknowledged the stress on Penske and expressed sympathy for the affected executives, describing them as credible professionals caught in a tough spot. He suggested that external pressure from rival team owners, angered by the team’s consistent infractions, may have contributed to the layoffs.
Scott McLaughlin, starting from 10th after a crash in qualifying, shared his disappointment regarding the scandal’s impact on Penske’s reputation and team integrity. Cindric expressed gratitude for his time with Penske while maintaining a clear conscience amid the turmoil.
As the team prepares for the 109th Indianapolis 500, Penske confirmed that IndyCar is considering forming an independent governing body to enhance oversight moving forward.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
