Penske suspends team chief and 3 others after IndyCar push-to-pass scandal

IndyCar team Penske has been under controversy since the start of the season. They have faced huge cheating allegations making things uncertain around them. Now in the latest development, Roger Penske suspended Team Penske president Tim Cindric, along with others. 

They will be barred from two races, including the Indianapolis 500, due to the recent push-to-pass cheating scandal. Notably this decision was taken after an internal investigation launched by the team after allegations of cheating surfaced last month. 

In a media statement, Penske revealed their decision and said it was necessary. “Following the penalties to the Team Penske IndyCar team and drivers after Long Beach, Team Penske has completed an internal review," read the statement.

"After a full and comprehensive analysis of the information, Team Penske has determined that there were significant failures in our processes and internal communications. As a result, Luke Mason (No. 2 Race Engineer) and Robbie Atkinson (Senior Data Engineer) will be suspended from Team Penske for the next two INDYCAR races including the Indianapolis 500.”

“I deeply regret these errors”, says Roger Penske 

Further speaking about the incident and revealing the role of the team principal Roger Penske apologised for the incident. "In addition, Ron Ruzewski (Managing Director, Team Penske IndyCar) will also be suspended for these two races, along with Tim Cindric (President of Team Penske), who has accountability for all of Team Penske’s operations”, said the team statement. 

Penske himself said, "I recognize the magnitude of what occurred and the impact it continues to have on the sport to which I’ve dedicated so many decades. Everyone at Team Penske along with our fans and business partners should know that I apologize for the errors that were made and I deeply regret them."

Notably, Josef Newgarden of Team Penske initially clinched victory in the opening race of the NTT IndyCar Series. However, he faced disqualification for tampering with his push-to-pass system, forfeiting the win. 

Additionally, his teammates, Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, were penalized. McLaughlin's third-place finish was invalidated, and Power, who came fourth, lost 10 points. The entire Penske team received fines of $25,000 per entry and relinquished all prize money from the race.