Team Penske Strengthens Parts Company with Three Key Leaders

Team Penske made headlines this week after announcing the departure of three high-ranking management members following rule violations at the Indianapolis 500. On May 21, the team confirmed that Tim Cindric, team president, Ron Ruzewski, INDYCAR managing director, and Kyle Moyer, INDYCAR general manager, are no longer part of the organization.

The decision comes after two Penske cars, No. 2 and No. 12, were penalized for using unapproved parts before Indy 500 qualifying. Both entries failed to make a qualifying attempt in the Top 12 session and will start in positions 32 and 33 for Sunday’s race.

Each car was fined $100,000 by INDYCAR for the violation involving the rear attenuator. Roger Penske addressed the situation by emphasizing how important integrity is for both his team and the sport.

He admitted to organizational failures over the past two years and apologized to fans, partners, and everyone associated with the company. The comments followed scrutiny over illegal modifications that affected both Josef Newgarden’s and Will Power’s cars.

In the wake of rival protests, officials determined that changes to the rear part of the cars gave an unfair aerodynamic advantage, leading to strict penalties and a spotlight on the team’s operations. This incident follows a similar controversy last season at St. Petersburg.

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At that event, Team Penske was found to have violated INDYCAR’s “Push to Pass” rules. The No. 2 and No. 3 cars were disqualified, and the No. 12 entry was docked ten championship points.

These back-to-back rule infringements have put Team Penske’s leadership and internal procedures under heavy review, leading to significant changes ahead of the world’s most famous open-wheel race. The individuals leaving Penske all bring long histories with the organization.

Tim Cindric joined at the end of the 1999 INDYCAR season, originally serving as president of Penske Racing Inc., then moving to president of Penske Performance in 2005. Ron Ruzewski started in 2005, worked as technical director, and became managing director by 2019.

Kyle Moyer came aboard in 2015 and was promoted to general manager four years later. Their combined experience shaped much of the team’s recent strategy and success on the track.

Team Penske has stated that more announcements about replacements and internal shifts are expected later this week. The timing of these changes, just ahead of the 109th Indianapolis 500, marks one of the most dramatic off-track stories in recent INDYCAR seasons.

As the team prepares for Sunday’s race, eyes will be on how these moves affect its performance and outlook for the rest of the year. These penalties and staff changes underline how carefully governing bodies monitor teams for fair play in motorsports.

With the Indy 500 fast approaching, supporters and critics alike are watching to see how Team Penske responds to the challenges on and off the track. The reaction to the rule violations at the Indianapolis 500 may carry extra interest given the turbulence behind the scenes. For more details on the history and regulations of the Indy 500, visit the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway page. Additionally, you can explore the FIA’s guidelines on motorsport integrity for broader context on fair competition standards.

Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.