Newgarden, Power sent to the back of Indy 500 grid

The IndyCar Series has moved the Nos. 2 and 12 Team Penske Chevys to the back of the field for Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 in reaction to both cars being found with illegally modified components prior to Sunday’s Fast 12 Pole Day qualifying session.

“Yesterday, IndyCar’s focus was ensuring that the series had all the facts related to the discovery of the modified attenuators on the Team Penske entries of Nos. 2 and 12 to verify they were in violation of IndyCar Rule 14.7.8.16. After the series confirmed the technical infraction, by rule, the violating cars were placed in the last positions of the qualifying session for which they qualified,” the series wrote.

“Upon further review last night and early this morning, IndyCar will be moving cars No. 2 and 12 to the 32nd and 33rd starting positions for this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. They will start in order based upon their qualifying times from Saturday.”

IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles continued, “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. 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.”

Fines and suspensions were also part of the penalty.

“Car No. 3 did not attempt to qualify Sunday in the Top 12 because of an accident in the earlier afternoon’s practice. Upon review of the car, and IndyCar impounding the No. 3 attenuator, IndyCar found that the car was in fact using a legal and unmodified attenuator. Therefore, car No. 3 will start in the 10th spot – the final spot of those who had qualified to participate in the Top 12,” the series added.

“Additionally, IndyCar is suspending the team strategists for the Nos. 2 and 12 for the remainder of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, both cars will forfeit Indianapolis 500 qualification points and each entry has been fined $100,000.

“Car Nos. 2 and 12 also will forfeit their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the remainder of the field has an opportunity to adjust accordingly.”

Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski are the strategists on the No.2 and No.12 entries respectively, and will therefore be on the sidelines for this weekend's race. Both were also suspended for last year's Indy 500 in the wake of team's the Push to Pass violations earlier in the year, although on that occasion Newgarden was victorious despite Cindric's absence. The team is yet to announce replacement strategists for either car.