Indy 500 Penske Scandal: Unnoticed Until Now
- INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Josef Newgarden and Will Power will start the Indianapolis 500 from the back of the field after IndyCar officials penalized Team Penske for modifying a...
- The modifications, intended to improve the aesthetics of the rear of the cars, involved smoothing the attenuator's surface.
- The attenuator,a rectangular box located at the rear of the car,serves two critical functions.
Penske Drivers to Start at Rear After IndyCar Discovers Attenuator Modification
Table of Contents
- Penske Drivers to Start at Rear After IndyCar Discovers Attenuator Modification
- Penske Drivers Demoted After IndyCar Attenuator Modification
- What is an Attenuator in IndyCar?
- Why Were Team Penske’s Attenuator Modifications Penalized?
- What Specific Modifications Did Team Penske Make?
- How Long Had the Modified Attenuators Been in Use?
- What Was the Penalty for the Modifications?
- What Do the Rules Say About Attenuator Modifications?
- Did the Modifications Offer a Performance Advantage?
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Josef Newgarden and Will Power will start the Indianapolis 500 from the back of the field after IndyCar officials penalized Team Penske for modifying a rear crash structure component, known as an attenuator. While the parts themselves are legal, IndyCar steadfast the modifications were not compliant with series regulations.
The modifications, intended to improve the aesthetics of the rear of the cars, involved smoothing the attenuator’s surface. IndyCar officials stated that such alterations were never permitted. Questions now arise regarding how long Team penske had been utilizing this modification without detection during technical inspections.
Understanding the Attenuator
The attenuator,a rectangular box located at the rear of the car,serves two critical functions. Primarily, it is designed to absorb energy during a crash, protecting the driver. It also provides a mounting point for the rain light.
According to Tino Belli, former IndyCar aerodynamic advancement lead, the current attenuator design was introduced in February 2023 as a significant upgrade since 2016. The goal was to reduce G-force peaks and extend the energy absorption process. “The concept is to reduce the tips of the G-forces and to extend the absorption process,” Belli said at the time.
The initial 2023 version differed visually from the parts seen at Indianapolis in 2025. The smoothed areas used by Team Penske were not present initially. Throughout 2023 and 2024, the crash structures underwent several upgrades.In May 2023, all parts were sent to dallara, the chassis manufacturer, for reinforcement due to early-season issues.
A few weeks later, teams reverted to a modified 2022 version for the 2023 Indy 500. Further changes were implemented at the start of the 2024 season to enhance stability.
Plates were later glued to the exterior of the attenuators. these plates are now at the center of the Team Penske controversy. Dallara originally attached these carbon parts to reinforce the crash structures.
Team Penske’s Actions
while no public sources confirm team Penske received an updated attenuator version from Dallara in early 2024, concerns arose regarding the visibility of the adhesive strips. Reportedly,team members were instructed to smooth the edges,concealing the glued areas with black filler.
Following this smoothing process, the attenuators were cleaned and sealed, a standard procedure for carbon fiber components at Penske, before being integrated into the rotation of parts for the 2024 season.
Duration of Use
Sources suggest these modified attenuators have been in use for over a year. Photographic evidence indicates Scott McLaughlin’s pole-winning car at the 2024 Indy 500 featured an attenuator with smoothed edges. Further inquiry reveals Team Penske used these parts at othre races,including Road America,as seen on Josef Newgarden’s car.
The 2024 Indy 500-winning car driven by Newgarden, currently displayed at the Indianapolis Motor speedway Museum, also exhibits smoothed edges, a detail noted by numerous observers.
Technical Inspection Failure
Team Penske’s use of smoothed crash structures since 2024 raises questions about IndyCar’s technical inspection process. Kevin Blanch, indycar chief of technology, commented after the penalties were announced: “There was a violation of the regulations on how the rear attenuators had to be attached, and we checked it immediately…it was decided that they are not compliant.”
Reportedly, car number 12 initially passed inspection, while car number 2 was flagged due to the modified attenuators. Upon re-inspection, similar modifications were found on car number 12. IndyCar disallowed Team Penske’s attempt to revert the parts to their original condition, citing regulations against modifications during qualifying.
Rule 8.5.6 states that during qualifying, adjustments are limited to front and rear wing angles, end panels, and tire pressure. Cars cannot be removed from the qualifying line without IndyCar’s permission.
Sources within the IndyCar paddock suggest the modifications were only noticed after a competitor requested the technical department to inspect the Penske cars, highlighting a potential failure in the initial technical inspections.
potential Performance Advantage
A smoother body can perhaps improve airflow and increase speed by reducing drag. While some experts believe the smoothed attenuators could have provided such an advantage, others disagree, arguing that the airflow in that area is minimal and the modifications would have a negligible effect. The use of these attenuators on road courses, where aerodynamic drag is less critical than on ovals, further complicates the assessment.
Severity of the Penalty
Initially, Josef Newgarden and Will Power were excluded from pole position qualifying sessions but allowed to retain their positions in the Fast 12. However, IndyCar subsequently moved them to the rear of the field, forcing them to start the Indy 500 from 32nd and 33rd positions.
Rule 8.5.13.1.7 states that the results of the first day of qualifying determine positions one through twelve. Rule 8.5.13.2.6.5 dictates that any car unable to participate in qualifying is placed at the end of the top 12 group based on day one times. Based on these rules, cars 2 and 12 should have been placed 11th and 12th. IndyCar’s decision to increase the severity of the penalty likely stems from the high profile of the race and the timing of the discovery.
Rule Violation
Despite the failure of IndyCar’s technical inspection to detect the modifications for months, the attenuators did not conform to the regulations. Rule 14.7.8.16.1 lists parts that can be modified to reduce bumps and gaps, allowing hard edges to be glued or covered. Though,the crash structure is not included in this list.
The rule specifies: “The parts must remain a single part and be separated from the parts to which they are attached…Forms and radii must correspond to the original drawings.”
By smoothing the attenuators, Team penske violated this rule. Ideally, IndyCar would have addressed the issue upon the first violation. Potential penalties could have included a fine or point deduction,similar to a previous case involving Prema. Alternatively, IndyCar could have instructed Team Penske to replace the parts. However,the illegal crash structures were only examined after a competitor’s report,placing IndyCar in a difficult position.
Penske Drivers Demoted After IndyCar Attenuator Modification
this article discusses the penalties imposed on team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power following modifications discovered on their rear attenuators, a critical safety component in IndyCar racing. These modifications, made to smooth the surface, were deemed non-compliant with series regulations, leading to their demotion to the rear of the starting grid for the Indianapolis 500.
What is an Attenuator in IndyCar?
The attenuator is a crucial safety component in IndyCar, located at the rear of the car. It serves two main purposes:
- Energy Absorption: Designed to absorb the impact energy during a crash, protecting the driver.
- Rain Light Mounting: It also provides a mounting point for the rain light.
The current design, introduced in February 2023, aimed to improve safety by reducing G-force peaks and extending the energy absorption process.
Why Were Team Penske’s Attenuator Modifications Penalized?
team Penske modified the attenuators by smoothing their surfaces,a practice IndyCar officials deemed illegal. While the parts themselves were not inherently illegal,the modifications violated series regulations.
Key Issues:
- The smoothed surfaces were not permitted.
- The modifications were discovered after technical inspections went unnoticed for a period of time.
What Specific Modifications Did Team Penske Make?
Team Penske’s modifications involved smoothing the edges of the attenuators. This was done, reportedly, to improve the aesthetics of the rear of the cars.
How Long Had the Modified Attenuators Been in Use?
Evidence suggests the modified attenuators had been in use for over a year.
- Photographic evidence shows Scott McLaughlin’s pole-winning car at the 2024 Indy 500 had smoothed edges.
- Team Penske also used these parts at other races, including Road America, as seen on Josef Newgarden’s car.
- The 2024 Indy 500-winning car, driven by Josef Newgarden, also exhibits smoothed edges.
What Was the Penalty for the Modifications?
the penalties for Team Penske’s actions were significant. Initially, Josef Newgarden and Will Power were excluded from pole position qualifying sessions. Subsequently, the penalties were increased, forcing them to start the Indy 500 from the 32nd and 33rd positions, respectively.
What Do the Rules Say About Attenuator Modifications?
IndyCar rules strictly regulate modifications to car components. Rule 14.7.8.16.1 lists parts that can be modified to reduce bumps and gaps, allowing hard edges to be glued or covered. The crash structure is not included in this list, and the rule also specifies that these components must:
- Remain a single part.
- Be separated from the parts they are attached to.
- Their forms and radii must correspond to the original drawings.
Team Penske violated these rules by smoothing the attenuators.
Did the Modifications Offer a Performance Advantage?
The possibility of a performance advantage from the changes is debated. While some experts suggest the smoothed surface could improve airflow and reduce drag, others believe the effect would be negligible due to the minimal airflow in that area.