INDYCAR Drops the Hammer: Team Penske Penalized for Technical Violations, Cars Sent to Back of Indy 500 Grid

In a stunning and unprecedented development just six days before the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, INDYCAR officials have issued significant penalties to Team Penske for illegal modifications to their entries, sending shockwaves through Gasoline Alley and raising major questions about race integrity, competitive fairness, and team accountability.

After completing a thorough investigation into violations discovered on Sunday during qualifying, INDYCAR announced Monday morning that the No. 2 car (Josef Newgarden) and the No. 12 car (Will Power) have been moved to the final two spots in the 33-car starting field for this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The decision follows the discovery that both entries used modified rear attenuators—a critical safety and aerodynamic component—violating Rule 14.7.8.16, which mandates that the part must be used “as supplied” and remain unmodified.

Both drivers had originally qualified for Row 4 with top-12 speed averages during Saturday’s opening round. But following this bombshell, Newgarden and Power will now start 32nd and 33rd, respectively, based on their Saturday lap averages.

A Costly Call for One of the Series’ Elite Teams

The penalties are steep and historic in scope. Not only will both cars begin at the rear of the grid, but Team Penske will also face internal ramifications and financial consequences:

Team strategists for both cars have been suspended for the remainder of the month of May.

Each car will forfeit all Indianapolis 500 qualification points.

Both entries have been fined $100,000.

Team Penske will select pit boxes after every other entry, significantly reducing their advantage during race strategy and service stops.

INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles made it clear that this decision was not just about one team—it was about protecting the sport’s foundational values.

“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount,” Boles said in a prepared statement. “The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway… starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.”

Car No. 3 Cleared of Infractions, Keeps Top-10 Spot

While the scandal has embroiled two-thirds of Penske’s powerhouse lineup, the No. 3 car of Scott McLaughlin has been cleared of wrongdoing. After a crash during practice forced the team to withdraw from Sunday’s Top 12 qualifying session, INDYCAR impounded McLaughlin’s car and determined that his rear attenuator was unaltered and fully compliant. As a result, McLaughlin will retain his 10th-place starting position.

A Black Eye or a Badge of Integrity?

INDYCAR’s swift and severe response sends a loud and clear message to teams: rule-bending won’t be tolerated, especially at The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. With record-setting crowd anticipation, a national TV audience, and international spotlight on Indianapolis, officials are taking no chances when it comes to upholding the fairness of competition.

Team Penske’s reputation as one of the most successful and respected organizations in the paddock is now under the microscope. Newgarden, the defending Indy 500 champion, and Power, the 2018 winner, now face an uphill battle from the back of the pack.

What Comes Next

With six days remaining before the green flag, attention now turns to how Penske responds. Will the team appeal? Can the drivers bounce back from deep in the field? And how will this shakeup influence race strategy and outcomes?

As the engines prepare to fire for the biggest race of the year, the field is set—and now, the heat is on.