The Indianapolis 500, often dubbed “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” has been thrust into controversy just days before the 2025 race. Team Penske, a powerhouse in American motorsport with a record 20 Indy 500 victories, is at the center of a cheating scandal that has sent shockwaves through the IndyCar community. The scandal, uncovered during last weekend’s qualifying session, has cast a shadow over the team’s legacy and raised serious questions about fairness in the sport.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, during the Fast 12 qualifying session, Team Penske’s No. 2 car, driven by two-time defending Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden, failed a critical pre-qualifying technical inspection. The violation centered on the rear attenuator, a safety component designed to absorb impact forces, which is strictly regulated as a “spec part” that teams are forbidden from modifying. Penske had filled a seam between the rear wing pillar and the car’s bodywork, a move believed to provide a slight aerodynamic advantage by reducing drag and potentially boosting straight-line speed.

Following the discovery, Team Penske preemptively withdrew their No. 12 car, driven by Will Power, from the Fast 12 session, admitting that it too carried the same illegal modification. The team knew it would not pass post-qualifying inspection. Notably, the third Penske car, driven by Scott McLaughlin, was found compliant after a crash in practice prevented it from qualifying. IndyCar officials confirmed McLaughlin’s No. 3 car used an unmodified attenuator, allowing him to retain his 10th-place starting position.

IndyCar responded swiftly and decisively. On Monday, May 19, 2025, the series announced that Newgarden and Power would start at the back of the 33-car field, in 32nd and 33rd positions, respectively. The penalties didn’t stop there. Both cars were stripped of their qualifying points and pit box selections, and each entry was fined $100,000. Additionally, Team Penske’s strategists, Tim Cindric (for Newgarden) and Ron Ruzewski (for Power), were suspended for the remainder of the Indy 500 event.

The severity of the punishment reflects IndyCar’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field. “The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the IndyCar rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” said IndyCar President Doug Boles. “Starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.

This isn’t the first time Team Penske has faced such scrutiny. Just over a year ago, in April 2024, the team was embroiled in a push-to-pass scandal at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, where Newgarden and McLaughlin were disqualified for illegally using the system during restarts. The recurring violations have sparked outrage among rivals and fans alike, with many questioning whether Penske’s influence as the owner of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway creates a conflict of interest.

The controversy deepened when journalists from the Associated Press and Indianapolis Star visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on May 19, 2025. There, they discovered that Newgarden’s 2024 Indy 500-winning car, currently on display, also had a filled seam on its rear attenuator—identical to the modification found on the 2025 cars. This revelation suggests that Team Penske may have been using the illegal setup for over a year, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of IndyCar’s technical inspections.

Rival team owners, including Chip Ganassi, have been vocal about their frustration. Ganassi, who first raised concerns about Penske’s cars during qualifying, called the situation “devastating” to the sport’s integrity. McLaren Racing’s Zak Brown echoed this sentiment, stating, “What a shame this cloud will continue to hover over our great race until everything is fully resolved.” Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon went further, advocating for an independent governing body to oversee the series, free from Penske’s influence.

The scandal has ignited heated discussions among fans on social media, with many expressing disappointment in a team long regarded as a pillar of motorsport excellence. One fan was spotted near the Penske garage wearing a shirt reading “Team Cheaters,” a stark reflection of the growing perception problem facing the organization.

For Josef Newgarden, the timing couldn’t be worse. He was poised to make history as the first driver to win three consecutive Indy 500s, but starting from 32nd makes that dream a long shot—no driver has won from lower than 28th. Will Power, the 2018 Indy 500 winner, faces similar odds from 33rd.

As the 109th Indianapolis 500 approaches on May 25, 2025, the focus should be on thrilling storylines, like rookie Robert Shwartzman’s stunning pole position or NASCAR star Kyle Larson’s attempt at “The Double.” Instead, Team Penske’s actions have shifted attention to questions of fairness and governance. With a sold-out crowd of 350,000 expected, IndyCar and Team Penske must work to restore trust in a sport that thrives on competition and integrity.

Will Penske rebound from this controversy, or will it leave a lasting stain on their legacy? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow for updates as the Indy 500 unfolds!