Penske Racing Faces Controversy at Indianapolis 500 Qualifying
In a shocking turn of events at the Indianapolis 500 qualifying, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward didn’t shy away from expressing his thoughts on the technical violation involving Team Penske’s cars. The controversy arose when IndyCar officials discovered issues with the rear attenuator on both Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 Chevrolet and Will Power’s No. 12 Chevrolet during the Fast 12 qualifying round.
Penske Racing made a questionable decision to work on the cars in the pit lane, hoping to fix the problem and proceed with qualifying. However, their hopes were dashed as both cars were ultimately pulled out of the line-up, resulting in a disappointing 10th to 12th position on the grid alongside Scott McLaughlin.
O’Ward didn’t mince words when he stated, “They weren’t accidentally doing it because they had the blowtorch right there in order to get it out. Honestly, I feel for [Jacob] Abel and for everybody that did the disqualifications or the last chance qualifying. Those (Penske) cars weren’t in regulations.”
The young driver expressed his belief that the Penske cars should have faced more severe consequences, suggesting they should have been sent to the Last Chance Qualifier immediately. O’Ward called out the team’s actions, emphasizing that such behavior was unnecessary from a powerhouse team like Penske Racing.
The situation took a dramatic turn as rookie Jacob Abel failed to qualify for the prestigious race, while the Penske cars, despite their rule breach, had initially secured spots in the Fast 12. O’Ward’s remarks shed light on the importance of upholding regulations in motorsports and the need for fair play among all competitors.
As the Indianapolis 500 draws near, the controversy surrounding Penske Racing adds an unexpected layer of intrigue to an already intense and high-stakes event. Fans and experts alike are left speculating on the implications of this incident on the team’s reputation and performance going forward.