Team Penske driver speak Indy 500 Qualifying Scandal

Speedway, Ind. – Nothing, not even a rookie who is sitting on the shelf for the first time in 42 years, or Kyle Larson, who tries the double, shaked the 109th run of the Indy 500 like the qualifying scandal with Team Penske.

After the Penke drivers Josef Newgarden and wants to run Power quickly enough to be to the 12 drivers to move away for the Pole Sunday, she banned the NTT Indycar series officials to have this opportunity as a modified damping agent was discovered on every car.

As a result, the officials have Newgarden and moved on the back of the field on Monday. Two days later, Roger Penske Tim Cindric, Kyle Moyer and Ron Ruzewski fired – three team managers who also worked as racetracks for Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin and Power. After the trio of drivers had put the work with the value of month in the 500 in the 500s, she was suddenly without her main men without her main men without her main men.

“Ultimately, these three boys are friends of mine and made an enormous amount in my career to bring me to this point. I think you could say there is sadness from my point of view,” said McLaughlin.

Although McLaughlin was not directly involved in the controversy, it probably felt the emotional weight the most. His last time on the route ended with an accident in which his primary car drove out on Sunday when all the controversies were created.

“At the end of the day I drive to Roger Penske. I respect the decision. I understand the decision. We go forward. I think I am disappointed by some of my colleagues and people in this room, as was taken in a way,” said McLaughlin.

Some team owners quickly received their voice about the integrity of the series and the 500, with Penske owning IT and the route and a controversy in St. Pete last year.

“At the same time, I think that people forget exactly what Roger has done for this sport in general, and that is definitely a little bit aside, which is difficult for me not to be passionate about it,” said McLaughlin. “But in the end it happened. That happened. We have to go forward. The punishments are accepted. I personally think I had the fastest car, I put it in the fence. I didn't have what was said. Smart people know that there was no win with it, do you know, do you know?”

McLaughlin refused to name names about Fox 'Bob Pockrass and said he had nothing to say about the situation. The next reporter felt the air in the room and then asked for a fun bet that he had in the NBA playoffs.

Newgarden, who probably thought of his ownership of the last two Borg Warner trophies, tried to stay positive on this matter.

“Well, I think we have a lot of people today, it looks like this. I don't want to disappoint or insult anyone. I am here to talk about the race. I am here with my team, I am ready to run. I love this race. My goodness, I have enjoyed being here.” At the moment I am trying to stay – what is the way to say – to stay happy. This is the Indy 500. I also said it from the beginning. I look forward to this season every season. “

Power was in the middle of Newgarden and McLaughlin. He stood with his team and repeated McLaughlin feelings when he spoke in detail about the situation.

“Yes, it's a kind of shock and a shame. They are all extremely good in their job. Yes, it was just the pressure from outside. I think Roger had to make a difficult decision, but I can tell you that these were very credible people.” It is only difficult – I don't know what else to say. They are all extremely good people, great in their job, have won many races, championships, created an incredible team. “

Power said Penske called him to his office to inform him about what was going on with the changes in the staff. As a senior driver with the team, Power saw first -hand what Penske went through.

“I know it was very difficult for him. He said that. It is obviously a very difficult decision. He said he didn't sleep the night before because he had to make a very difficult decision,” said Power. “I feel bad for him. He is in a very difficult place in this situation. Yes, it wasn't really a long conversation with us. He only explained what happened. You could say that it was difficult for him. Hard, hard for him to do that.”

Despite all of this, power is ready.

“I think these two boys are unbelievable between Dave and Jonathan and understand strategy, everything. It is a very strong group for all three cars,” said Power.

Newgarden and power start 32nd and 33. In the meantime, McLaughlin will start the 10th place.