- Josef Newgarden and Will Power resumed work with their redesigned teams on Friday.
- Newgarden’s victory and Scott McLaughlin’s third-place finish were taken away from them.
- Several drivers have expressed their opinions about the circumstances at Penske.
While racing strategists Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski will miss the Indianapolis 500 on May 26 and the Indianapolis Grand Prix on Saturday due to their two-race penalties for cheating, Josef Newgarden and Will Power resumed work with their redesigned teams on Friday.
Additionally suspended for cheating are engineers Robbie Atkinson and Luke Mason. Which of the two 500-winners and series champions can fulfill their customary May aim of getting team owner Roger Penske back in the winner’s circle depends on how well the drivers adjust to the new voices on their radios.
Will Power and Josef Newgarden
Between now and the 500, IndyCar’s most prestigious race, in two weeks, Team Penske’s long-standing friendship with Dave Faustino should help ease the transition. All three of the team’s cars had software installed that allowed the drivers to increase their horsepower on restarts and starts, which is against series regulations. As a result, the Captain’s ship is sinking.
In addition to losing 10 points and fined $25,000, Newgarden’s victory and Scott McLaughlin’s third-place finish were taken away from them. The transition to new team members is now being handled by Power and Newgarden.
Several drivers have expressed their opinions about the circumstances at Penske. Marcus Ericsson, the winner of the 2022 Indianapolis 500, pointed out that Cindric and Ruzewski are the two main leaders at one of the series’ dominant teams.
Given his familiarity with Indy’s road circuit and his rapport with Faustino, Power may find the sanctions to be of less consequence. Because the Australian is calm and effective on the radio, and because the squad has become accustomed to him, he thinks the 43-year-old can withstand the loss of two players.
After four IndyCar races this season, two-time champion Alex Palou became the fourth different pole winner on Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
