Roger Penske suspends key leadership positions at Team Penske ahead of Indy 500

In an important step toward restoring the integrity of his racing operation and business empire, Roger Penske has handed out some serious penalties to four key members of Team Penske management ahead of the 108th race^ThIndianapolis 500.

Team president Tim Cindric and general manager Ron Ruzewski will not travel with the team to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Both were suspended for the next two IndyCar Series races, including the 108th Indianapolis 500.

Cindric is the racing strategist for Josef Newgarden, the reigning Indianapolis 500 winning driver.

Additionally, Luke Mason (No. 2 Race Engineer) and Robbie Atkinson (Senior Data Engineer) will be suspended from Team Penske for the next two IndyCar races.

All four were part of the IndyCar push-to-pass scandal, when it was revealed that the Chevrolets of March 10 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner Josef Newgarden and third-place finisher Scott McLaughlin were via a rigged push-to-pass system. to pass system that allowed them to use it during startups and reboots. Newgarden and McLaughlin were both disqualified and Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward was awarded the win.

Will Powers Chevrolet also had the tampered system, but the driver did not use it when starting and restarting. He was penalized but not disqualified.

The decision was announced at 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time and is in response to the push-to-pass scandal at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10.

According to the team, an internal review was conducted and after a full and comprehensive analysis of the information, there were “significant errors in our processes and internal communications.”

“I recognize the magnitude of what happened and the impact it continues to have on the sport to which I have dedicated so many decades,” said team owner Roger Penske. “Everyone at Team Penske, as well as our fans and business partners, should know that I apologize and deeply regret the mistakes made.”

Penske also owns IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500.

Cindric released a statement at 9 a.m. ET.

“For Ron and I as leaders of this team, it’s not about what we did, it’s about what we didn’t do,” Cindric said. “It is our responsibility to provide the team and all of our drivers with the right processes to ensure this happens.” Something like this cannot happen.

“I apologize for this to Roger, our team and everyone who supports us.

“Our main task is to protect and strengthen the reputation of our brand and those who support us. In this regard, I have failed as an overall leader and I must raise my hand and be accountable to the others.”

“This is a team, and in my position it’s the right thing to do.”