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Indy 500 champions Josef Newgarden and Will Power were subject to a significant fine for less than a week, just before the Green Flag fell to the game.
The Indycar series announced on Monday that the Penske drivers will be forced to start at the rear of the field with a modified attenuator. Both drivers’ team strategists were suspended for the race.
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Will Power of Australia drove the first round in the practice race at the Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Circuit on Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
"The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is crucial, which violates the Indycar rules against modifications to the section and using it 'as provided' is obvious," IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles said in a statement. "If there is a chance, the fine should be more than just where the car might be eligible. These cars belong to two of the fastest 33 in the field; however, in this case, starting from the field, starting from the field is the appropriate fine."
Indycar said Newgarden and Power would be out of qualifying and they were fined $100,000.
“The positive momentum of the NTT Indycar series and Indianapolis 500 has been in a steep gradual state over the past few months, and we hope our intention is to maintain this momentum and discourage the team from putting IndyCar at our officers and competitive levels and adding IndyCar.
Will Power, left, Josef Newgarden was moved to the back of the backpack. (AP)
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“When we go through the rest of the weekend and the race, we will do everything we can to make it clear that this is not only the best car on Earth, but the best win on completely fair conditions.”
According to Fox Sports, illegal filling was found in the attenuator's seams.
Penske president Tim Cindric said Sunday that modifications were made to make the vehicle smoother, rather than giving it an advantage.
"It's not a performance advantage in our opinion, but at the end of the day, if they don't like the seams being filled, they don't like the seams," Cindric said through Fox Sports. "You have to follow the inspection process and fit that."
Newgarden won the Indy 500 in 2023 and 2024. Power won the competition in 2018.
Now every driver has to play amazing races to get to the frontline and possibly win the race.
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The Indy 500 will air on FOX on May 25, previously covered at 10 a.m. ET. It will also be available for live streaming on Foxsports.com and the Fox Sports app.
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