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Josef Newgarden Apologizes for Manipulating Push-to-Pass System in IndyCar Win
Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Josef Newgarden displayed a palpable sense of remorse and vulnerability on Friday as he shouldered responsibility for his involvement in a scandal surrounding the manipulation of the push-to-pass system in his season-opening IndyCar victory. With tears gathering in his eyes, Newgarden acknowledged the shame associated with his actions and expressed deep regret for his role in the incident.
During a poignant 25-minute press conference at Barber Motorsports Park, Newgarden publicly addressed the situation for the first time since IndyCar stripped him of his win at St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 10. “I want to extend a sincere apology to our fans, partners, teammates, and fellow competitors within our community,” Newgarden articulated. “I have always held myself to the highest standards throughout my career, and in this instance, I have fallen short. It is a challenging reality to grapple with, and the entire experience is undeniably humiliating.”
Emphasizing the importance of accountability, Newgarden asserted that the decision to disqualify him and revoke his victory was entirely justified. He acknowledged the integrity of the open-wheel racing series, owned by Roger Penske, who also oversees Newgarden’s team, a powerhouse in motorsports. The repercussions of this incident have created upheaval within IndyCar, casting a shadow over the upcoming Indianapolis 500.
An Emotional Reckoning
“It’s devastating. Looking back, I do not wish to have that tainted win on my record,” Newgarden confessed, his voice fraught with emotion. “I am relieved that the victory has been rescinded. If it was tainted, I want no part in it. Regrettably, it is. I cannot undo the past, but it is imperative that the right actions are taken moving forward.”
In addition to Newgarden, fellow Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin faced disqualification, while Will Power received a 10-point penalty despite not being implicated in any wrongdoing. The three drivers from Team Penske were collectively fined $25,000 due to the utilization of the altered push-to-pass systems on their Chevrolet cars.
Team Penske contended that the push-to-pass system was initially used for testing purposes related to forthcoming hybrid engines and was inadvertently left in place at the launch of the season. Footage from onboard cameras clearly captures Newgarden utilizing push-to-pass in an illicit manner to gain an advantage during restarts at St. Petersburg.
Unveiling the Violation
IndyCar regulations expressly forbid the use of push-to-pass during starts and restarts, with the system designed to remain inactive in those specific instances. The anomaly came to light in California when a malfunction disabled push-to-pass on all vehicles except for the Team Penske entries. Following an investigation, IndyCar identified the systems as non-compliant and mandated their correction prior to the Long Beach race.
Newgarden recounted a tense interaction with Roger Penske, describing the initial response as interrogative. Acknowledging Penske’s unwavering integrity, Newgarden affirmed his meeting with IndyCar President Jay Frye, recognizing Frye’s skepticism towards his explanation as justifiable.
Refuting claims of intentional malpractice, Team Penske President Tim Cindric dismissed insinuations of deliberate rule-breaking. “For it to be construed as a deliberate effort to gain an advantage is unfounded unless one is inclined to believe as such,” Cindric articulated to The Indianapolis Star.
A Path to Redemption
Reflecting on the sequence of events, Newgarden disclosed that he only became aware of the transgression on the day subsequent to its discovery during the warmup session at Long Beach. The weight of the situation strained Newgarden emotionally, especially when questioned about regaining the trust of his peers, some of whom have cast doubt on the unintentional nature of his actions.
“Earning back trust is a challenging endeavor,” Newgarden reflected. “It is plausible that my account may not be believed by everyone present here today, and that’s acceptable. Negotiating these circumstances is a complex process, and it will necessitate tangible actions, not just words.”
Andretti Global driver Colton Herta, the beneficiary of the disqualifications at St. Petersburg, expressed skepticism regarding Newgarden’s professed ignorance of the rules violation. Similarly, Pato O’Ward, the ultimate victor in St. Petersburg, acknowledged Newgarden’s culpability while underscoring the collaborative aspect of such infractions.
“While Josef Newgarden bears responsibility for his actions, it is critical to recognize the role of the broader team in facilitating the misconduct,” O’Ward remarked. “A collective effort is essential, and assigning sole blame to one individual is somewhat unjust. This incident underscores the collaborative nature of motorsport and the shared accountability it entails.”
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