IndyCar News: Team Penske Drivers Ready to Race in Indy 500
After the last few days of constant concern and announcements following the Sunday qualifying fiasco regarding Team Penske cheating with an unapproved attenuator, the driver’s focus has turned to the infamous Indy 500 race.
Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Verizon Chevrolet and the 2018 winner, expressed his disappointment in the firings of IndyCar Team President Tim Cindric, Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and General Manager Kyle Moyer.
” Yeah, it’s kind of a shock and a pity. They’re all extremely good at their job. Yeah, it was just the pressure from outside. I guess Roger had to make a tough decision, but I can tell you these were very credible people. They really were. As you know, the infraction was
very minor. It wasn’t a performance gain. ”
“I called Ron. Obviously, he’s on my car. I didn’t get to talk with him. But I feel bad for everyone involved in that situation. I really do. It’s just a tough — I don’t know what else to say. They’re all extremely good people, great at their job, won a lot of races, championships, created an incredible team.”
“It’s the circumstance that it is, and the team is very motivated to have a good day Sunday, sort of try to put this stuff behind us. Yeah, news cycles move pretty quickly, so if you can throw a win in there, that would certainly be a good way to move forward”.
Team Penske Driver #3 Scott McLaughlin
Scott McLaughlin, driver of the No. 3 Team Penske Pennzoil Chevrolet, was not happy with the sudden firing of his friends on Wednesday.
“Ultimately, those three guys are friends of mine and have done a tremendous amount in my career to get me to this point. I guess you could say there’s a sadness from my perspective.”
“At the end of the day I drive for Roger Penske. I respect the decision. I understand the decision. We move forward. I think I’m disappointed in some of my peers and people in this room, just how it was taken out of proportion in some ways.”
“At the same time, I think people forget just what Roger’s done for this sport in general, and that definitely gets thrown to the side a little bit, which I find a hard time not being passionate about that.”
“But ultimately what’s done is done. This happened. We have to move forward. The penalties are accepted. Personally I think I had the fastest car, I put it in the fence.
I didn’t have what was said. Smart people in this paddock know there was no gain with that, you know?”
“It’s frustrating that this is blown up like it has and it’s cost three people that I’m very close with their jobs. But overall, my view on it right now is just to focus forward and win
Roger his 21st.”
Team Penske Driver #2 Josef Newgarden
Josef Newgarden was not having anything to do with the situation today when it was his turn to speak with the gathered media.
“I don’t want to disappoint or offend anybody. I’m here to talk about the race. I’m here with my team. I’m ready to go racing. I love this race. My goodness, I’ve been enjoying being here this whole time. I look forward to it every year, as we all do. I am ready to go to
work with our group.”
“Proud of everything that we have done up to this point. Ready to go racing. So that’s what I got to say. ”
Team Penske will have to fight to move up the field to take a win this Sunday. Newgarden and Power start in the last row while McLaughlin starts 10th.
Lucille Dust reporting live from Indianapolis