IndyCar Racing News

[996C438]

Looking forward to the season opener . I am hoping this year is a leap forward for growth in the series . If the TV numbers grow that will bring in additional $$$ . Indycar has to nail down a new engine spec and with that additional engine suppliers .

[blueline]

Hagerty Media:

"350,000 for the Indy 500: First Sellout in a Decade"

https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorspor ... -a-decade/


Plenty of storylines for this weekend's Indy 500.

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Brandon Badaroui/Lumen/Getty Images

[blueline]

Autoweek:

"Indy 500 Starting Lineup: Robert Shwartzman Surprise Pole Winner for Indianapolis 500"
"Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin crashes hard; Shwartzman becomes first rookie to lead field since Teo Fabi in 1983."

https://www.autoweek.com/racing/indycar ... polis-500/

indycar-driver-josef-newgarden-drives-through-turn-one-news-photo-1747611776.jpeg (59.66 KiB) Viewed 1304 times

Icon Sportswire//Getty Images
Josef Newgarden has some work to do on race day in his bid to make it three consecutive Indy 500 wins.

[996C438]

The Penske failing inspection/cheating with 2 out of 3 cars is an ugly mess for Mr. Penske . Newgarden and Power will start 32nd and 33rd . Mclaughlin car wasn't illegally modified so no penalty for his car .

If I was Tim Cindric I would be VERY nervous about being fired . Second time being caught for him . I doubt Roger will tolerate it . But who knows .

[blueline]

The Penske failing inspection/cheating with 2 out of 3 cars is an ugly mess for Mr. Penske . Newgarden and Power will start 32nd and 33rd . Mclaughlin car wasn't illegally modified so no penalty for his car .

If I was Tim Cindric I would be VERY nervous about being fired . Second time being caught for him . I doubt Roger will tolerate it . But who knows .

Newgarden & Power definitely have their work cut out for them.

Here's an updated starting grid from the IndyStar:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/m ... 709323007/

[996C438]

Mr Penske didn't take long to rectify the situation .

https://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/sto ... ng-scandal

[WillyDaP]

Wow, drastic measure from Roger, but showing his integrity and ethics in not allowing any shenanigans at the track he owns, even if committed by a 25 year employee. Kudos to him and hopefully everyone can move forward.

[blueline]

Good to see that Penske did the right thing. However, the "illegal" mod is so slight as to be almost a joke. Having said that, yes it was out of spec and penalties were in order.

Helio Castroneves: "I believe they did something to look good. I don't think that little (adjusted) lip is going to make them three miles an hour faster," Castroneves said. "I know how Roger operates. He wants to make everything beautiful, perfect, shiny. I believe it was, again, a mistake, touching an area they're not supposed to. In the rule book, they're not supposed to touch. I believe what the series is doing is right. But they don't need anything like that to go fast. I don't see this as a situation that people are cheating. In terms of performance, I don't think it would have changed anything."

And this from Colton Herta of Andretti Global [who] also did not believe this latest scandal was as damaging as last year's Team Penske fiasco.

"Do I think they had it for qualifying Saturday? Absolutely for sure. Do I think that's why they were fast? Absolutely not," Herta said. "I'd imagine that would equate to the smallest margins of drag. It is still disappointing to see the team get caught up in something again, but sorry, this is way different than 50 extra horsepower and I won't be passed because of what they did."

How IndyCar tech inspections missed this, alegedly for over a year, is bewieldering. (Maybe too many rules?)

I found a graphic of the offending seam filling and agree with some others that any potential edge is highly unlikely and in any event, immeasurable. However, to reiterate, cheating is cheating, no matter how minor the offense. I suppose the old adage of "where there's smoke, there's fire" still has merit. (ie: What didn't tech and officials catch?)

Screenshot_2025-05-21_13-52.png (513.93 KiB) Viewed 1273 times

[996C438]

Supposedly Honda stressed adamantly their displeasure with this scandal . I believe their displeasure is a major reason for the terminations . Why ? Because Roger is in negotiations with Honda to extend their commitment as an engine supplier . I am sure Roger had to do something to please Honda . And Penske runs Chevrolet engines . If Honda pulls out the series is in deep poop .

I do think Roger is a man of integrity and would have done something anyway . At least to Cindric because it's the 2nd time caught cheating . Honda has stated previously they are not sure what they would do with the Indycar program . Cost escalation was the main reason given . Then add a cheating scandal even a minor one and you have given Honda a reason to leave . Just my opinion .

[996C438]

Roger Penske has sold 1/3rd ownership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indycar to Fox .

Roger Penske sells a third of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar to Fox https://share.google/z8q2yyv4TwhyfVmH4