“But sometimes when there’s blood in the water, people like to go after you, and I think that’s what happened.” Roger Penske’s words came in the aftermath of one of the biggest controversies in IndyCar history. The man known for his impeccable reputation in motorsports found himself at the center of a storm – a scandal that not only cost his team a victory but also led to unprecedented penalties.

The controversy erupted after the 2024 season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida. Josef Newgarden, a two-time IndyCar champion, had crossed the finish line first. His teammate, Scott McLaughlin, had secured third place. But six weeks later, an investigation uncovered a shocking detail. Both drivers had used the push-to-pass system illegally during starts and restarts. Needless to say, the revelation stunned the IndyCar community.

The aftermath of the incident saw the first-ever driver disqualification from IndyCar in the last 29 years. But how did this happen? Here is the inside story of the biggest IndyCar controversy that tarnished Roger Penske’s image. Notably, the entire fiasco centered on a software manipulation that allowed Penske drivers to use push-to-pass at unauthorized times. The push-to-pass system provides a temporary horsepower boost, but it is disabled during starts and restarts. However, Team Penske had installed a different version of the system during hybrid engine testing in 2023. The software was never reverted to its legal form before the season opener.

As a result, Newgarden, McLaughlin, and their teammate Will Power – knowingly or unknowingly – had an unfair advantage. Newgarden admitted to using push-to-pass three times, while McLaughlin said he pressed it once as a force of habit. However, Power admitted to not using the system at all. However, despite their admissions, questions loomed: How did no one in the Penske camp notice this major miss? And how did IndyCar fail to detect it for six weeks?

While questions lingered, IndyCar wasted no time in handing down severe punishments; Newgarden lost his victory and McLaughlin was stripped of his podium finish; they were disqualified, while Will Power was docked 10 championship points and fined $25,000. And more was to come to counter the backlash – this time by way of the management. Team Penske took a harsher stance, suspending four senior team members in the fallout, which included team president Tim Cindric and managing director Ron Ruzewski.

Notably, Cindric had been a mastermind strategist for Penske, being with the team since 1999 and playing a critical role in Newgarden’s success. The controversy notwithstanding, Penske maintained that there was no “malicious intent” behind the rule violation, insisting instead that the oversight was purely a comms breakdown. But not everyone was convinced; many were convinces that Penske’s response was a half-hearted attempt to save face. However, Roger Penske refused to budge, maintaining strictly said that the issue was largely overblown.

IndyCar launches major updates for the 2025 season!

As the 2025 IndyCar season kicks off, all eyes will be on how the series will evolve after a turbulent year. While Penske’s team works to regain its hard-built but quickly-eroded trust, the motorsports series is making major adjustments to enhance the racing experience for fans and drivers alike. One of its biggest updates is the full integration of the hybrid engine system, which allows drivers to store and strategically deploy extra energy throughout the race.

Furthermore, the push-to-pass system remains a key feature, but will now have stricter monitoring. The new software updates detect any misuse immediately, preventing another scandal like the one Penske faced in 2024.

Another major change involves broadcast coverage. Lately, FOX Sports has expanded its IndyCar programming, bringing in new talent to cover their races. However, the decision wasn’t without its fair share of chatter; the inclusion of Jamie Little in the broadcast team has sparked mixed reactions.

Little, who previously worked as a NASCAR reporter, faced criticism from fans of her commentary during the Daytona 500. Some believe she lacks the energy and insight needed for live race analysis. But offsetting the criticism is the addition of Formula One’s ex-resident commentator, Will Buxton to the lineup; for 2025, the electric Buxton is all set as the lead commentator for FOX Sports’ coverage of the IndyCar Series.

However, with new technology, stricter regulations, and fresh faces in the broadcast booth, the 2025 season promises to be one of the most exciting yet.