Will Power Labels Penske Dismissals a Shocking Pity

Will Power is preparing for one of the toughest weeks of his racing career at the Indianapolis 500. The 2018 Indy 500 champion is starting this year’s race from 33rd place, the final spot on the grid, after his Team Penske entry was moved to the back.

This unusual setback arrives just days after a major shake-up in the Penske organization. Earlier this week, three senior executives—including Power’s strategist Ron Ruzewski—were dismissed following a rules infraction related to the rear attenuator modification.

The decision impacted not only Power but also teammates Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin, whose teams faced similar penalties. In a press conference on Thursday, Power described the firings as “a shock and a pity.”

He stated that all three ousted staff members were highly competent and had contributed to years of racing success for Penske. “They really were credible people. The infraction was very minor and didn’t give any performance gain,” Power explained.

He mentioned trying to call Ruzewski but was unable to reach him, and emphasized his sympathy for everyone involved. Both Ruzewski and Tim Cindric, who had each spent over 20 years with Penske, were widely respected within the paddock for their leadership and racing acumen.

The details on Penske Tim Cindric ousted provide further insight.

Kyle Moyer, the team’s longtime general manager, was also part of the group let go after the incident. According to Power, Penske himself found the situation extremely difficult.

Power recalled that Roger Penske informed the drivers that he had not slept the night before making the decision. The team owner reportedly gave a brief but emotional explanation about the incident, and Power noticed the weight of the moment.

Despite the difficult nature of the changes, Power expressed his trust in Penske’s leadership style. He described him as someone who makes decisions swiftly and always seeks to move forward for the good of the team.

Looking ahead, Power remains focused on the upcoming race. With Jonathan Diuguid taking over as his race strategist for the weekend, Power said there is no time for anger or frustration.

He stressed that everyone is motivated to do their best and leave the controversy in the past. “We’re all motivated to have a good day and put this stuff behind us. If you can throw a win in there, that would certainly be a good way to move forward,” Power remarked.

The Indy 500 presents a major challenge for the entire Penske squad this year, given that all three of its cars start far down the grid following the penalties. This is not the first time Team Penske has faced major hurdles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

For more on team changes, see Team Penske parts.

Last year the organization won the race with Josef Newgarden despite another rules-related setback earlier in the season. Power believes that tough moments like these only strengthen the focus of the group.

With 19 IndyCar wins since joining Penske in 2009, Power understands the need for resilience and unity during adversity. As the team regroups with new personnel and revised strategies, Power is concentrating on competing to the best of his ability.

He knows that racing success often follows periods of intense challenge. The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, and Team Penske will be looking to put recent events behind them with a strong performance on the track.

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.