INDIANAPOLIS — Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power were bumped to the 32nd and 33rd spots, respectively, in the Indianapolis 500 after their cars had an illegal body fit on their rear attenuators.
Former Indy 500 champion Scott Dixon has decided to mind his own business and throw subliminals simultaneously.
“It’s not my problem, I’m here to race legally,” Dixon said. “It’s just a bad look, right? It’s (owner) Roger’s (Penske) series and his track. It’s not anything any of us wants to see. But it is what it is. It’s kinda sad.”
Chip Ganassi Racing managing director Mike Hull considered the sport’s worldwide reach when discussing Penske’s violation on IndyCar radio.
“The Indianapolis 500 is a global event. It’s not a domestic event. It’s not an inside (Interstate) 465 event. It’s a global event and it needs to be handled with integrity. Integrity by the teams that are represented on the grid.”
While Hull said he was disappointed, former Penske driver and four-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves defended owner Roger Penske’s intentions when speaking with reporters after practice Monday while condemning the actions.
“I believe they did something to look good. I don’t think that little lip is going to make them 3 mph faster,” Castroneves said. “To be honest, I know how Roger operates. He wants to make everything beautiful, perfect, shiny. And I believe it was for that, touching that area you’re not supposed to.”
Castroneves said he believes IndyCar’s punishment against Penske is right according to the rule book. However, the Brazilian wants the hype around Penske’s illegal action to settle.
“They don’t need anything like that to go fast,” Castroneves said. “I don’t see this as a situation that people are creating and making a big deal (out of).”
Kyle Larson joined Castroneves on the dais after practice. Larson is attempting to race in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600. Whether it’s Penske or NASCAR driver Chris Buescher’s violation, Larson opts to stay in his own lane.
“I don’t have an opinion on it. I stay out of it,” Larson said. “Even on the NASCAR side, when (Chris) Buescher got his penalty, I didn’t know what it was and didn’t really care. It doesn’t affect me and our team, so I don’t get involved with other teams.”
Penske has won a record 20 Indianapolis 500s. Larson doesn’t believe starting in the final row will be challenging for the Penske cars.
“Did you see Josef out there today? He’ll be just fine,” he said.
When asked what the fight to victory would be like with starting 32nd, Newgarden decided to stay present-minded.
“I don’t know yet, just getting ready for practice,” said the two-time Indy 500 champion. “Look at that pit box, I think that’s moving.”
