Uncharacteristic Team Penske Flub

At the start of the Top 12 Qualifying session the two remaining Team Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power, didn’t make their respective one attempt after a violation of INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16, viz “ an unapproved body fit on the rear attenuator of the car.”

Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin already set to start on the fourth row after he crashed heavily in Turn 2 during pre-qualifying practice this morning in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet. McLaughlin was unhurt, but the car suffered heavy damage, and the team elected to focus its efforts on getting a car prepared for McLaughlin for practice Monday afternoon.

The three Team Penske drivers will occupy Row 4 on the starting grid based on their four-lap average speeds from the first day of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday. McLaughlin will start 10th in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet, two-time reigning “500” winner Newgarden 11th in the No. 2 Shell V-Power NiTRO (sic) Team Penske Chevrolet and Power 12th in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

Up next is a practice session from 1-3 p.m. ET Monday (FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

*The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 will air on Sunday, 25 May 2025 on Fox beginning at 10 am Eastern Time, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app, IndyCar Radio Network.