INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – IndyCar is looking into establishing an independent governing body, free from the influence of Roger Penske’s employees, following the fraud scandal involving Team Penske just before the Indianapolis 500.
Penske owns multiple entities including Penske, IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Indianapolis 500. Recently, he terminated the top three race executives after it was revealed that two of the cars were found to be illegal during the second round of Indy 500 Qualifying.
Since the incident, modifications have been made to the cars of two-time 500 winner Josef Newgarden, with indications that Will Power has also been affected. Both Newgarden’s victory car from 2024 is currently on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, similar to the one he had at the White House last month, featuring the same altered parts.
A rival team claims to possess photographic evidence of the Penske car.
“The president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a leader,” stated Doug Boles, who took over as the president of IndyCar in February.
Complications have arisen due to complaints from rival teams since IndyCar caught the Newgarden and Power cars last Sunday. Competitors argue that Penske’s cars are receiving preferential treatment simply because they are owned by Penske. They also expressed confusion as to why the three Penske cars went unnoticed during Saturday’s race, casting doubt on their legality at that time.
Penske’s reputation has been scrutinized since his acquisition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020, given that employees running his organizations are compensated by Roger Penske. On late Wednesday, new IndyCar Chairman Doug Boles, who also presides over the Speedway, mentioned the possibility of introducing external governance in the future.
“We are diligently working to create entities and judicial organizations, facilitating race control and technical inspections, that are entirely independent from Roger Penske and the IndyCar series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Boles stated.
Boles further noted that one reason the illegal modifications were not detected earlier was due to changes made to the rear attenuator. These parts are inspected less frequently as IndyCar inspectors assume the team prioritizes safety.
In contrast, NASCAR is managed by the France family, who owns the series and most of its vehicles, with race control and competition divisions comprised of NASCAR employees. NASCAR does not have independent oversight.
Formula 1 operates under independent governance through the FIA. While F1 holds the commercial rights to the series, the FIA maintains full authority over the management of the sport.
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Source: apnews.com