Penske Penalized: Will Power and Josef Newgarden Start Last at Indy 500

Penske Racing will start from the back at the 2025 Indianapolis 500 after major penalties were handed down just before pole qualifying. IndyCar reviewed Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 Chevrolet and found the rear attenuator had a modification that is not allowed.

Will Power’s car had a similar change but passed through pre-qualifying checks while Newgarden’s car did not. Both teams tried to fix the issue in the pit lane and return to Fast 12 qualifying, but this was not permitted by the rules.

As a result, both cars were pulled before they could compete for top spots. Originally, Newgarden was lined up to start 11th and Power in 12th.

Rival teams reacted quickly and questioned if those starting positions were fair, pointing out that Penske may have run outside the rules during qualifying. Pato O’Ward suggested they should have been sent to the last-chance qualifier.

IndyCar responded on Monday by moving Newgarden and Power to the back of the 33-car field. Newgarden will now start 32nd and Power will begin in 33rd, instead of their original slots in the fourth row.

The penalty decision was confirmed by IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles, who stated that maintaining the integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is more important than any team or individual. The enforcement covers not just their starting positions—both cars lose all their qualifying points, and Team Penske’s strategists for each entry are suspended.

Each team also faces a $100,000 fine. IndyCar said the cars remain part of the 33 fastest, so they were not removed from the race, but they could not keep any competitive advantage by starting near the front.

Scott McLaughlin’s No. 3 car from Penske was also checked after a crash in Sunday morning practice prevented him from participating in Fast 12 qualifying. Officials inspected the car and confirmed it used a legal, untouched attenuator and that McLaughlin can start in his earned place. This incident follows other notable accidents during race weekend, such as the Herta Indy 500 crash.

According to Boles, this move is aimed at providing clear consequences and discouraging further rule testing. He stressed that the race will reward only those who compete on equal terms. For more details on IndyCar’s technical regulations, you can refer to the official IndyCar rulebook.

The decision sends a strong message to all teams about the seriousness of rule compliance. Heading into the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, fans and teams alike are focused on how Newgarden and Power will challenge from the back, and whether Team Penske can overcome this setback as race weekend approaches. For historical context on past penalties in the Indy 500, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum offers extensive archives.

IndyCar officials want to keep momentum going and avoid situations that put their officiating or the levelness of the playing field under question. The spotlight now shifts to the main event as the field gets ready for race day, with every team aware of the importance of following the technical regulations just as scrupulously as they chase victory at the Brickyard. For further insights into the history and significance of the Indianapolis 500, visit the Indy 500 Wikipedia page.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.