In an explosive development that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, Team Penske has found itself at the center of controversy following the total disqualification of Josef Newgarden and Will Power from the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Now, team owner and motorsport legend Roger Penske has broken his silence, delivering a firm and unflinching verdict on the matter.

A Stunning Fall From Glory

Josef Newgarden had initially crossed the finish line in dramatic fashion, securing what would have been his second consecutive Indy 500 victory. Will Power, a former IndyCar champion, had also finished in the top five. But the celebrations were short-lived.

An intensive post-race technical inspection revealed that both cars from Team Penske had illegally modified their push-to-pass systems, providing drivers with an unfair horsepower boost not available to others during the race. The violation, described by race officials as a “clear breach of competition rules,” resulted in the complete disqualification of both drivers, nullifying their race results.

Roger Penske Speaks Out

In an exclusive interview with Racing News Today, Roger Penske, who owns not only the race team but also the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series itself, addressed the situation publicly for the first time.

“This is a devastating moment for our team and for me personally,” Penske said. “But I want to be absolutely clear: rules are rules, and if we’ve violated them, we must accept the consequences—no matter how painful.”

Penske’s statement comes amid swirling speculation and conspiracy theories suggesting he might have influenced officials to go easy on his own team. But he strongly denied any interference, emphasizing the importance of transparency and fairness.

“I did not and would not intervene. The integrity of the Indy 500 must come before any individual or team, including my own,” he asserted.

Inside the Technical Violation

The disqualification revolves around the unauthorized activation of the push-to-pass system — a feature that allows drivers to temporarily increase engine power for overtaking. In IndyCar, its use is strictly regulated and disabled during oval races, including the Indy 500.

However, the investigation found that Team Penske’s ECU software allowed Newgarden and Power to activate push-to-pass during critical race moments, providing a potentially decisive advantage. A third Penske driver, Scott McLaughlin, was found to be using compliant software and retained his race result.

Team Penske Faces Backlash

The incident has sparked outrage across the racing community. Rival teams have called for stricter oversight, with some demanding multi-race suspensions or heavy financial penalties in addition to disqualification. Fans, meanwhile, are torn between disappointment and disbelief.

Social media has exploded with debate, with hashtags like #IndyScandal and #PenskeGate trending worldwide.

“This is a stain on what should have been a legendary race,” said one fan on Twitter. “If you cheat, you don’t deserve the win — no matter who you are.”

What Happens Next

Penske confirmed that Team Penske will not appeal the disqualifications, choosing instead to focus on internal reviews and regaining the trust of fans and competitors.

“We’re launching a full internal investigation,” Penske said. “We need to understand how this happened and ensure it never happens again.”

Sources inside the team suggest that the software modification may have been implemented without the full knowledge of senior leadership — an explanation that could have significant implications for team management moving forward.

Meanwhile, IndyCar officials have pledged to tighten technical inspections across the board and may consider software standardization to prevent future exploits.

Legacy on the Line

For Roger Penske, a man whose name is synonymous with excellence and discipline in motorsports, this scandal presents a major test of his legacy.

“We’ve built our reputation on doing things the right way. That hasn’t changed,” Penske said. “This hurts — badly — but it also motivates us to come back stronger, and cleaner.”

As the IndyCar season continues, all eyes will be on Team Penske. The road to redemption will be long, but in the high-speed world of motorsport, reputations can be rebuilt — one race at a time.