The 2025 Memorial Day weekend, traditionally a highlight of speed and precision in racing, turned tumultuous for Team Penske, one of the dominant forces in IndyCar and NASCAR. At the Indianapolis 500, two of the team’s leading drivers, Josef Newgarden and Will Power, were caught using illegal car modifications, triggering swift action from racing officials. This resulted in the dismissal of Penske’s top management and heavy fines, casting a shadow of doubt over the integrity of the Series and putting Roger Penske’s legacy in question.

Following the controversy at Indy, Team Penske struggled in NASCAR’s prestigious Coca-Cola 600 race just hours later. None of their three drivers finished within the top 15: Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion, placed 17th, Austin Cindric, who showed initial potential, dropped to 31st after car damage, and Ryan Blaney crashed out to finish 38th. This marked one of Team Penske’s worst combined outcomes at Charlotte in recent memory.

Drivers Reflect on a Difficult Night at Charlotte

After the race, Austin Cindric expressed his disappointment, saying,

“It’s a bit of a shame. I thought we had a solid run going,”

while Ryan Blaney also shared his frustrations:

“It was one of those things. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The disappointing performances, compounded by the Indy 500 scandal, fueled widespread speculation among fans and critics.

Rumors circulated that Roger Penske had instructed his NASCAR teams to ease off to avoid further scrutiny, but Joey Logano rejected these accusations, calling them “easy conclusions.”

Joey Logano Confronts Criticism Following the Coca-Cola 600

Team Penske arrived at the Coca-Cola 600 aiming to recover from recent setbacks but instead endured another frustrating evening. Logano started 16th and battled with his car’s unbalanced setup throughout the race, ultimately finishing 17th. Although some questioned Logano’s late-race moves, which might have affected the outcome for William Byron, Logano maintained that there was no malicious intent.

Addressing the criticism, Logano acknowledged missed opportunities and challenges with the car’s setup:

“I think we missed a lot of things last week. Some of them were pretty obvious… We just missed it on setup. We missed it on a couple of pieces, and I’ll own a lot of that, too, that we should have recognized it sooner over the weekend. So, just missed it, and obviously the timing of that, it’s easy to draw conclusions pretty quickly.”

He elaborated that, despite the tough weekend, the difficulties were a matter of misfortune rather than strategy or lack of effort. Logano’s car lacked grip early in the race, and even with adjustments, it was never competitive enough to contend at the front.

Defending Team Penske’s Commitment and Effort

Statistics support Logano’s defense against claims of intentional underperformance. He managed to return to the lead lap late in the race and fought hard for positions. “It was a grind-it-out day,” Logano said, emphasizing that while the No. 22 Ford was not a frontrunner, the team continued to strive throughout the event.

Despite last weekend’s poor results, Team Penske has demonstrated competitive flashes this season. Both Logano and Cindric have secured victories, with Cindric standing 15th in points, Logano ninth, and Blaney seventh, notwithstanding multiple races ended prematurely due to crashes. However, these standings reflect survival rather than clear contention for wins, highlighting a performance gap unusual for a team renowned for reliability and strength.

Questions Loom Over Team Penske’s Future After Dual Setbacks

Events over Memorial Day weekend have cast doubt on whether Roger Penske’s racing empire is facing long-term damage or simply a temporary setback. While the team fights to regain its former dominance, internal acknowledgment suggests there are deeper issues at play beyond driver effort or team execution.

Logano, while firmly defending his team, directs part of the focus outward, underscoring broader concerns about NASCAR’s competitive environment and technical regulations.

Calls for Increased Horsepower to Revitalize NASCAR Racing

Joey Logano has urged NASCAR to reevaluate the series’ current horsepower levels, which are capped at 670 hp. He believes this limit diminishes racing excitement and driver control.

“I don’t think it’s going to be game-changing, but I do think it’s the right way,”

Logano remarked, indicating support for changes but expressing reservations about minor increases.

Regarding a modest horsepower boost, Logano said,

“If we’re adding back to 950 hp, I’m going to answer differently. If we’re talking about adding 60-70 hp… ehh.”

He and others feel that the introduction of the Next Gen car has reduced passing opportunities and throttle response, shifting the focus excessively towards car setup rather than driver skill. Bubba Wallace, a fellow NASCAR driver, commented,

“That’s what we want. These cars are so close now. Horsepower brings you back to the old-school feel. Just puts it back in the drivers’ hands.”

Wallace insisted the solution requires a significant horsepower increase of at least 750 hp to restore competitive balance and excitement.

Elton Sawyer, overseeing NASCAR’s technical regulations, has indicated that plans to boost engine power are being explored. The parity-focused approach, intended to equalize performance across teams, has instead made races predictable and heavily reliant on precise execution and data management, such as live SMT telemetry and standardized setups. Although a jump to 750 hp may not be drastic, it would represent a meaningful step toward reinvigorating racing dynamics.

Reflecting on the Challenges Facing Team Penske and NASCAR

Following a weekend marked by scandal and subpar results, Team Penske remains under intense scrutiny from fans, analysts, and stakeholders. The question persists whether this double blow will be a catalyst for change or a sign of deeper issues within one of the sport’s most prestigious organizations.

Joey Logano’s vocal defense of his team and his call for drivetrain enhancements highlight a critical juncture not only for Team Penske but also for NASCAR as a whole. As the racing community grapples with the impacts of regulation changes and equipment parity, the forthcoming decisions on horsepower and car design could shape the competitiveness and popularity of stock car racing for years to come.