Team Penske modifies IndyCar staff roster as Porsche Penske Motorsport juggles other priorities

Following the high-profile controversy surrounding the Indy 500, Team Penske has faced challenges in filling key IndyCar staff positions. After parting ways with its race strategists just days before the Indianapolis 500, management has now announced its interim timing stand lineup for the third consecutive race, as the search for permanent replacements continue.

At the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, Team Penske received personnel support from the Porsche Penske Motorsport IMSA GTP program. However, with PPM now competing at one of the crown jewels of motorsport, i.e., the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, the IndyCar team will streamline operations by combining the roles of race strategist and race engineer for Will Power and Josef Newgarden's cars.

For the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 in Madison, Illinois, the team will rely on a reshuffled strategy team. Luke Mason, a two-time Indy 500-winning engineer, will take on dual responsibilities as race strategist for Newgarden’s #2 Chevrolet. Similarly, David Faustino will handle both engineering and strategy duties for Power’s #12 Chevy.

Scott McLaughlin’s No. 3 Chevrolet is the only entry maintaining continuity from the recent Indy and Detroit rounds. Ben Bretzman will manage the car’s setup and technical preparation on Saturday, before transitioning to the strategist role for Sunday.

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Penske president opens up about the difficult period after Team Penske's Indy 500 controversy

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Source: Getty

The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was marked by rule infractions involving three teams: Team Penske during qualifying, and Andretti Global and Prema after the race. However, it was Team Penske’s violation that escalated into a major controversy. Weeks later, Penske Corporation President Bud Denker spoke about the incident.

Due to the penalties, Team Penske’s #12 car driven by Will Power and # 2 car driven by Josef Newgarden had to start the race from the 32nd and 33rd positions on the grid. In the wake of the scandal, team owner Roger Penske removed several senior executives ahead of the race. Among those dismissed were longtime Team Penske President Tim Cindric, IndyCar Managing Director Ron Ruzewski, and General Manager Kyle Moyer.

Looking back on the difficult period, Denker described it as the “worst week of his life,” highlighting the emotional challenge of letting go of key personnel who had been integral to the team.

“It was the worst week of my life,” Denker said, referring to the dismissals. “These are people not only we like, but these are also people we love and have done so much for our company with wins and championships and for our brand."

“But the decision was made, and we moved forward. And now we’re still moving forward. And I think the fact is that here we were in Detroit, and we're going to be in the next races at Gateway and Road America. We're moving forward," he added.

“Tough decisions were made. They were made, and now we’re thinking ahead,” he further said.

The next IndyCar race is scheduled for June 15 at the World Wide Technology Raceway on June 15.