What is it about hands and Team Penske this season? First, a unique aerodynamic qualifying glove in NASCAR, and now a controversial incident in the IndyCar series that has shaken the sport to its core.
This controversy couldn’t have come at a worse time for IndyCar. If you’re not caught up, Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin were disqualified from the season opener in St Petersburg for using the ‘push-to-pass’ feature on restarts, which is against the rules. Penske claimed that the feature was still available due to software from a recent hybrid test not being uninstalled. Will Power, another Penske driver, didn’t use the feature but had it available, resulting in a 10-point deduction for him and fines totaling $75,000 for all three cars.
For a long time, Roger Penske’s ownership of the IndyCar Series while also competing as a team owner was a non-issue. However, this scandal has raised questions and criticisms about the team’s intentions. It also brings into question the officiating of the 2023 Indianapolis 500, where a red flag was called instead of finishing under yellow. Some wonder if this decision was made to favor Penske driver Newgarden and turn a potential defeat into a victory.
This scandal has opened a can of worms for Team Penske. People are now scrutinizing onboard videos from previous years to see if this push-to-pass situation has been happening for longer than initially known. Fans are questioning the level of premeditation involved in this mishap. Racer.com has reported that the situation is more complex than just a software error and suggests that the Penske cars may have bypassed the push-to-pass system. Journalists are scrambling to confirm these claims.
There are still many unanswered questions. If there was a way to bypass the push-to-pass control, why didn’t Power use it? Why did McLaughlin only use it for a brief moment? And if McLaughlin didn’t know about it, why would Penske go through the trouble of bypassing the system without instructing their drivers to take advantage of it? There’s also speculation about whether Chevrolet, as a manufacturer, was aware of this situation.
The data shared between teams, Chevrolet, and IndyCar raises more doubts. Could Chevrolet have noticed any irregularities in the data that indicated excessive RPM boost from push-to-pass? It seems unlikely that other teams, especially fierce competitors like McLaren, would overlook such a violation. The penalties for Team Penske may be more severe because of their ownership of the series.
As you can see, there are too many questions and not enough answers. The penalty itself is also under scrutiny. If this was an accidental software breach, the penalty may be fair or even harsh. But if there was premeditation involved, should the punishment be more severe?
Roger Penske is clearly unhappy with the situation. He expressed his disappointment and embarrassment over the disqualification. Chip Ganassi, another team owner, also expressed his disappointment, as he has looked up to Penske for years.
This scandal has tarnished Penske’s almost perfect start to the year. Winning the Daytona 24 Hours, the St Pete IndyCar opener, and leading the World Endurance Championship seemed like a dream beginning. However, the St Pete win has been nullified, and the team’s reputation has been marred.
On one hand, this controversy creates a crisis that will not be forgotten easily. Fans will struggle to separate Team Penske from Penske Entertainment. On the other hand, it has brought attention to the series, which is currently facing various challenges. The introduction of a hybrid system mid-season, a shortage of parts for teams, and the struggle to agree on a franchise system are just a few of the issues IndyCar is dealing with.
The narrative has changed overnight, just in time for the Indy 500, the month-long event that attracts widespread attention. While this situation is terrible for Penske and the series, it has increased the championship’s visibility.
As journalists continue to uncover more information, we eagerly await the upcoming race at Barber, where the drivers will have the opportunity to shed more light on this incredible chain of events.