Team Penske – which is owned by Roger Penske, who happens to own Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series, too – had an abysmal qualifying session ahead of the 2025 Indy 500. Two of Penske’s Chevy race cars were disqualified after unapproved modifications were found in inspection, and will start at the rear of the field as a result.
According to a penalty report from IndyCar.com, the No. 2 and No. 12 Chevy race cars, driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power respectively, were found to have modified attenuators. The purpose of the attenuator is to mitigate force felt by the driver in the event of a rear-end collision. Because it is a spec part, it cannot be modified by teams.
However, the attenuators on the Nos. 2 and 12 Chevy race cars were found with sealed seams, which were filled to close off airflow. This, in turn, would produce an aerodynamic advantage. As such, attenuators in both vehicles were found to be in violation of IndyCar Rule 14.7.8.16. Interestingly, the No. 12 Chevy initially passed inspection, but the No. 2 did not. Upon closer examination, both race cars exhibited the same modification.
The Nos. 2 and 12 will take the green flag from 32nd and 33rd, respectively. Additionally, the team strategists from both teams are suspended for all Indy 500 activities, and each entry must pay a $100,000 fine.
“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the INDYCAR rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” said IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles. The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33; however, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.”
Team Penske issued a statement indicating that it will not attempt to appeal the penalties.
Team Penske statement in response to recent INDYCAR penalties: pic.twitter.com/Mqgz0yuIlO
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) May 19, 2025
The third Team Penske Chevy, the No. 3 driven by Scott McLaughlin, was not found with the same modification; however, the race car was heavily damaged in a crash in practice and did not attempt to qualify. McLaughlin will start 10th, which is the final slot among those who had qualified to participate in the top 12.
Comments
I have always been suspicious of how quick Porsches and Ferraris are in IMSA and WEC. They must be playing a game.
Disappointing for Penske but I appreciate the fact that they accepted the penalty, took the blame and responsibility without moaning and whining and trying to blame someone else, and just moved on.
I have seen this same article in several news outlets. Not one article, including this one shows what the heck a attenuator looks like. A picture is worth a thousand words. Im sure 99.9% of people reading this article have no idea what an attenuator looks like.
Google is your friend. In less than a minute I found a picture of it. motorsport dotcom has a good write up on it.
Kind of strange that an article about the Indy 500 doesn’t mention Kyle Larson’s twin race attempt. First the Indy 500 in a Chevy, then a quick flight to Charlotte, to compete in Coca-Cola 600, in a Chevy.