Penske suspends key Indy 500 personnel over St. Pete scandal: “I apologize for mistakes; I deeply regret it”

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Reigning Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden will compete in the world’s biggest race this year without one of the IndyCar Series’ best strategists, as Tim Cindric was among four Team Penske members hired by team owner Roger Penske were blocked for May.

The move was announced via press release at 7:30 a.m. ET in response to the push-to-pass scandal at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Season opening on March 10th.

Newgarden, the race winner, and his teammate Scott McLaughlin, who finished third, were disqualified after IndyCar officials discovered six weeks later that they had illegally used their push-to-pass systems on mid-race restarts. Will Power, Penske’s third driver, was reduced 10 points but not disqualified for failing to use the push-to-pass at the unsanctioned times.

In an interview with Kenny Wallace, the owner of Andretti Global said he would have handled the controversy “very differently.”

According to Tuesday’s team statement, 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.”

Team Penske president Tim Cindric, who also handles Newgarden’s race strategy, and general manager Ron Ruzewski have been suspended for the next two IndyCar races, including Saturday’s Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the 108th^Th Indianapolis 500 on May 26th.

Luke Mason (the race engineer of Newgarden’s No. 2 Dallara Chevrolet) and Robbie Atkinson (a senior data engineer) were also suspended by Penske for the next two races.

“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,” Roger Penske said in the press release.

“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.

All the relevant details and information you need for the 108th Indianapolis 500, taking place on May 26th.

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 that something like this cannot happen.

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

“Our most important 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.”

Follow Bruce Martin on Twitter at @BruceMartin_500