Team Penske hit with huge Indy 500 punishments including suspensions

Team Penske has received a range of punishments from IndyCar for the 109th running of the Indy 500.

Having been found guilty of a technical violations after qualifying for the famed race, the team was barred from taking part in the fast 12 qualifying session, thus consigned to starting 10th, 11th and 12th on the grid. However, after calls for stricter penalties, the series has responded.

Will Power and Josef Newgarden failed scrutineering after officials found Penske had illegally modified a specification part, the attenuator, which is part of the rear crash structure.

The issue was identified as the pair were readying to compete in the fast 12 session. It was uncovered that the team had tried to modify the part in such a way as to increase straight-line speed and reduce drag. 

Whilst car no. 3 of Scott McLaughlin, who could not take part in the session after a significant practice crash, was found to be compliant and will therefore start in 10th, cars no. 2 and no. 12, of Newgarden and Power, respectively, will be forced to start at the back - in 32nd and 33rd.

In addition to this, the team has been fined $100,000 for both cars, will forfeit their qualification points and will have its team strategists for both cars suspended for the remainder of the Indy 500.

"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," INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said.

"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."

The cars no. 2 and no. 12 will also forfeit their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the rest of the field has been given the opportunity to adjust accordingly.

"The positive momentum around the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis 500 has been on a steep crescendo over the last several months, and we want it to be clear that our intent is to maintain that momentum and discourage teams from putting INDYCAR in positions where it calls into the integrity of our officiating and the levelness of the playing field," Boles said.

"As we look to the remainder of the week and the race this weekend, we will do everything we can to make it clear that this is not only the best racing on the planet but racing where the best win under completely fair conditions."