Cindric and Ruzewski are among four Penske suspended over the P2P scandal

Roger Penske has suspended several members of his Team Penske IndyCar operation after the push-to-pass scam resulted in fines and disqualifications for Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 starter, which won in St. Petersburg, and also for third place . 3rd place for Scott McLaughlin.

Team Penske president Tim Cindric, who is also the race strategist responsible for the No. 2 car, general manager Ron Ruzewski, No. 2 race engineer Luke Mason and assistant engineer Robbie Atkinson were suspended from the next two IndyCar races in response to this item.

“Following the penalties imposed on the Team Penske IndyCar team and drivers after Long Beach, Team Penske conducted an internal review,” Team Penske said in a statement. “After a complete and comprehensive analysis of the information, Team Penske determined that there were significant errors in our processes and internal communications.

“As a result, Luke Mason (No. 2 Race Engineer) and Robbie Atkinson (Senior Data Engineer) are suspended from Team Penske for the next two IndyCar races, including the Indianapolis 500.

“In addition, Ron Ruzewski (General Manager, Team Penske IndyCar) will also be suspended for these two races, as will Tim Cindric (President of Team Penske), who is responsible for overall Team Penske operations.”

Atkinson, the data specialist for the No. 12 Chevy driven by Will Power, who was not illegally using Push-to-Pass but whose car was in an illegal configuration during the first two months of the season, was the only member of It’s the third entry approved by Penske.

Team Penske’s explanation of how the team unintentionally loaded the illegal hybrid software into its three race cars assumes Atkinson was responsible for the breach.

Reacting to the suspension, Cindric said: “For Ron and I as leaders of this team, it’s not about what we did, it’s about what we didn’t do.” It’s our responsibility to give the team and all of our riders that to provide 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 job 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.”

Notably, Penske did not suspend any members of McLaughlin’s No. 3 team, which could be construed as a form of vindication.

“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 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.”