Wed May 21 15:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Penske Cars Penalized, Sparking Controversy at Indy 500

**INDIANAPOLIS** – A pre-race inspection has shaken up the Indianapolis 500 grid, as Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power have been penalized and relegated to the 32nd and 33rd starting positions. The penalty stems from an illegal body modification discovered on the rear attenuators of their cars.

The infraction has ignited debate in the racing community. Veteran driver Scott Dixon offered a blunt assessment, stating, “It’s not my problem, I’m here to race legally. It’s a bad look, right? It’s (owner) Roger’s (Penske) series and his track. It’s kinda sad.”

Chip Ganassi Racing managing director Mike Hull emphasized the global importance of the Indy 500, stating, “It’s a global event… and it needs to be handled with integrity.”

However, former Penske driver and four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves offered a more charitable perspective. “I believe they did something to look good,” Castroneves said, suggesting the modifications were motivated by aesthetics rather than a pursuit of unfair advantage. He defended Penske’s character, adding, “I know how Roger operates. He wants to make everything beautiful, perfect, shiny.” While agreeing the punishment fits the rule book, he urged for the controversy to be put to rest, believing Penske “don’t need anything like that to go fast.”

Meanwhile, Indy 500 rookie Kyle Larson, also competing in NASCAR, remained neutral on the issue. “I don’t have an opinion on it. I stay out of it,” Larson stated.

Despite the setback, Larson expressed confidence in Newgarden’s ability to overcome the starting position. Newgarden himself remained focused, stating, “I don’t know yet, just getting ready for practice.”

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