Penske won't have a shot at the Indy 500 pole after inspection issue
A stunning development out of Indianapolis with just nine cars now taking part in Fast 12 ... and no sign of the Penske trio
Before a late inspection and a crash ruled the Penske drivers out of final qualifying: Will Power, Josef Newgarden, and Scott McLaughlin
Photo by: Penske Entertainment
Team Penske had three shots at the Indianapolis 500 pole going into Sunday, but now they will have none. Scott McLaughlin crashed in morning practice, destroying his primary car in the process. But the issue for his two teammates is far more surprising.
Eyebrows began to raise as Josef Newgarden and Will Power had their No. 2 and No. 12 Penske Chevrolets pushed from the pit lane abruptly just as Fast 12 qualifying was set to begin. Power or Newgarden did not take any further part in Sunday qualifying, denying them a shot at the Indy 500 pole.
What was the issue?
As for what actually happened, some clarification soon followed.
"There was a body fit violation on the rear attenuator," explained IndyCar technical director Kevin Blanch. "As quick as this process happens, we ran them through tech, we got everybody in line and then prior to qualifying, they decided that they would just pull out of line."
Team Penske president Tim Cindric then spoke with IndyCar on FOX, giving more details about what transpired from their perspective.
"Essentially, the #12 [Power] car passed inspection, and as the #2 [Newgarden] car went through inspection, it was pointed out that the official didn't like what you saw on television there. There was a blending there on the attenuator and we decided, let's go look at that (on the #12) and it was the same way so there was no reason to run the #12 car knowing it was like the #2 car.
"In fact, I went back and looked at the #3 [McLaughlin] car from this morning and it didn't have that, so there was a bit of a randomness there internally that we need to sort out. Just a shame that we didn't give our guys a chance to go for it."
Cindric went on to explain that it was their understanding that they could fix those issues in the pit lane, but competitor's took issue with that and it was decided that it was outside the scope of what teams are allowed to do.
Photos from Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
2025 Indianapolis 500 - Qualifying 2
Share Or Save This Story
Top Comments
Penske cars penalized, sent to back of grid for Indy 500
Christopher Bell responds to Logano criticism: "I've seen Joey do much worse"
Pato O'Ward: Penske cars should have been sent to LCQ after rules breach
Will Power leads rain-affected Indy 500 practice at 227mph
Josef Newgarden: ‘We just weren’t quick’ as Team Penske falters in Thermal qualifying
Motorsport Picks: The top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2024
"Pissed off" Joey Logano calls out Bell, 'gimmick' All-Star Race caution
Scott McLaughlin damages track and wall in heavy airborne Indy crash
Marco Andretti kicked to LCQ, Alex Palou fastest in Indy 500 Saturday qualifying
Alpine, FIA condemn online abuse of Tsunoda at F1 Imola GP
McLaren: Imola is a missed chance that goes beyond the strategy topic
F1 inks deal with Disney for Mickey Mouse merchandise
NASCAR's longest race to feature full field of 40 cars for the Coke 600
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
