Roger Penske, the legendary figure in motorsports, is facing a massive scandal that is shaking the foundations of his team, Team Penske. Reports suggest that a cheating scandal from 2024 has come to light a year later, leaving Penske “devastated” and in deep trouble.
The controversy revolves around the recent Indy 500 event, where Team Penske’s cars, driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power, were found to have unauthorized adjustments made to the rear attenuator. This tampering could have provided the Penske cars with an aerodynamic advantage during the qualifying runs, leading to their disqualification and relegation to the rear for the race.
Despite facing penalties, including a hefty fine and starting from the back of the grid, Team Penske is no stranger to controversy. Just last year, they were embroiled in a push-to-pass scandal. Now, with rumors swirling about potential irregularities in Newgarden’s 2024 Indy 500-winning car, the team is under intense scrutiny.
Images of Newgarden’s car from both this year and last year have raised eyebrows, with observations of modifications to the rear attenuator that may not have been legal. The situation has escalated further with McLaren’s Pato O’Ward criticizing the leniency of the punishment meted out to the Penske cars, suggesting they should have been sent to Last Chance Qualifying instead.
As the motorsport world watches closely, questions loom over Roger Penske’s involvement and his response to the allegations. With the reputation of Team Penske on the line and the specter of another scandal looming large, the future looks uncertain for the powerhouse team in motorsports.