Ryan Blaney has stood firmly behind Roger Penske, confronting those who sought to damage the Team Penske owner’s reputation after the Indy 500 scandal earlier this year. On the eve of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Blaney voiced his support for Penske, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and respect ahead of Penske’s first race event at the track since May 25.
The controversy originated during the Indy 500 qualifying weekend when IndyCar officials discovered illegally modified rear attenuators on the cars driven by Josef Newgarden and Will Power. As a result, both the No. 2 and No. 12 Team Penske vehicles were disqualified from qualifying, forcing them to start the 109th running of the Indy 500 from the final row. This incident followed another Team Penske scandal from earlier in 2024, involving push-to-pass rule infractions, which further heightened scrutiny on the team and its management.
Allegations Against Team Penske: What Happened at Indianapolis?
The technical violations detected on Newgarden’s and Power’s cars led to sharp reactions from fans and critics alike, many branding the drivers and the organization as “cheaters.” Such accusations extended to Roger Penske himself, casting a shadow on his leadership despite his longstanding contributions to motorsports. This series of events created a tense environment around Team Penske’s reputation heading into NASCAR’s Brickyard 400, where Penske’s involvement is closely tied to both IndyCar and NASCAR divisions.
When asked about what the race weekend at Indianapolis might mean for his boss, Blaney expressed his frustration over the negative narratives surrounding Penske. Highlighting Penske’s commitment to integrity and respect within the sport, Blaney said,
“It kind of ticked me off, all the stuff I was reading about people saying about Roger. In that situation, it’s like, this guy’s done so much for the series and this racetrack and always took the high road and everything like that. Just that’s his nature.”
Blaney also reflected on whether the Brickyard 400 holds extra significance as a chance to redeem Team Penske politically and reputationally after the May controversy.
“I don’t think there’s any more importance of doing well just from what happened in May. That’s a common thing when we come here of trying to do well for him and try to be on the racetrack with Roger after the race, kissing the bricks. So we’ll see if we can make it happen,” the former NASCAR Cup Series champion added.
Roger Penske’s Reaction to the Car Modifications Scandal
Roger Penske, 88, expressed deep regret following IndyCar’s decision to disqualify the affected entries due to the infractions. As the owner of both Team Penske and IndyCar, the controversy struck a personal and professional blow. Penske promptly responded by overhauling the team’s top management within the IndyCar program to address the internal failures that led to the violations.
“Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams. We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down.”
This public apology underscored the weight of the scandal for Penske, especially amid what has been a challenging season overall. Despite being the only driver from Team Penske consistently finishing in the Top 10, Will Power trails behind in the standings, with Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden positioned further down in 13th and 16th places respectively.
What the Brickyard 400 Means for Team Penske’s Future
Ahead of the race weekend, Ryan Blaney highlighted how meaningful it is to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway alongside Penske, describing the opportunity to “kiss the bricks” with Penske after the race as a “dream come true.” Last year, Blaney narrowly missed the win, finishing third behind race winner Kyle Larson. This year, the race represents a chance for the Penske family to regain momentum and rebuild trust with fans and the wider motorsports community.
The Brickyard 400 is more than just another race; it stands as a pivotal moment for Roger Penske and Team Penske to demonstrate resilience despite recent turmoil. Performance on the track this weekend could play a crucial role in countering ongoing criticism and restoring faith in one of motorsport’s most iconic organizations.