INDIANAPOLIS — During the Indianapolis 500 pole qualifying event, Team Penske experienced a setback when both Will Power and Josef Newgarden’s cars failed technical inspection. The issue arose just as the top 12 qualifying session commenced, forcing officials to withdraw their vehicles from the qualifying process.
IndyCar officials identified a body fit violation related to the rear attenuator on both cars. Tim Cindric, president of Team Penske, acknowledged the mistake, stating that the team did not meet the regulatory standards for Newgarden’s car, which led to the same issue being flagged for Power’s car.
“We didn’t do it right,” Cindric admitted, highlighting the importance of adhering to regulations, especially since post-tech inspection modifications are not allowed, unlike some adjustments like wing configurations and tire pressures.
Compounding the team’s challenges, fellow Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin was involved in a crash during pre-qualifying practice, which subsequently sidelined him from the second day of qualifying for the May 25 race at the prestigious 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
Despite these adversities, McLaughlin had previously secured the pole position for 2024 and showed competitive speed, clocking in second during Saturday’s qualifications. Newgarden, the two-time defending race champion, qualified third, while Power placed 10th. Their starting positions for the race will reflect the speeds achieved in Saturday’s qualifications, placing them in Row 4.
This incident serves as a reminder of the rigorous technical standards in motorsports and how quickly fortunes can shift. Team Penske has shown resilience in the past, and with a strong lineup, they will be looking to bounce back when the race begins.