Team Penske suspends key management during Indy 500 – Motorsport Week

On Tuesday morning, Team Penske announced the suspension of key members of the team’s IndyCar crew due to the push-to-pass cheat that was uncovered in recent weeks.

The team conducted a comprehensive internal investigation and found “significant flaws in our processes and internal communications.”

As a result of these findings, four people were suspended from the next two races, including the Sonsio Grand Prix and the 108th Indianapolis 500.

Tim Cindric is the most prominent suspended player, with Team Penske’s president responsible for all team operations.

Managing director Ron Ruzewski is also suspended, as are the #2 crew’s race engineer Luke Mason and senior data engineer Robbie Atkinson.

While the statement did not admit that there was a deliberate attempt to circumvent IndyCar rules, it made no attempt to excuse the team’s actions.

Roger Penske was quoted in the team’s press release apologizing for his team’s impact on the series’ image.

“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,” Penske said.

“Everyone at Team Penske, as well as our fans and business partners, should know that I apologize and deeply regret the mistakes made.”

IndyCar handed out its penalty already after the cheating was discovered, disqualifying Josef Newgarden from his victory in St. Pete and Scott McLaughlin from his podium finish. Will Power was also awarded 10 championship points.

Additionally, all three teams were fined $25,000 and forced to forfeit all prize money associated with the opening round of the season.

The suspension of Team Penske management during the Indy 500, IndyCar’s crown jewel, is among the harshest punishments that could have been imposed without a final termination.

It has not been announced how the team will be restructured during the month of May or who will fill the open positions for the next two rounds of the championship.