MOTORSPORT AMERICA EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS OF THE CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA INDY GRAND PRIX AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK IN BIRMINGHAM!
by Derek Jackson
After one of the most controversial weeks in IndyCar history, the premier open wheel series returned to Birmingham this past weekend with the most successful team in the series being the main topic of conversation at the Alabama road course. IndyCar penalized Team Penske drivers for their illegal use of the Push-to-Pass technology during the season opener race at St. Petersburg, with Josef Newgarden being stripped of his win, and Scott McLaughlin forfeiting his 3rd place finish. Penske driver Will Power who finished 4th at St. Pete was not disqualified but was docked 10 points. Additionally, all three Penske teammates were fined $25,000 and had to forfeit all prize money they won in the race.
Upon arriving in Birmingham, Roger Penske called an unscheduled meeting with all IndyCar team owners present at the track in hopes of restoring some integrity to the series. The original explanation of the scandal was traced back to manufacture testing of a new hybrid Push-to-Pass unit where Team Penske engineers altered the codes during testing but forgot to reset them during the off-season. No team drivers, engineers or officials were aware of the advantage they possessed, but this explanation did little to dampen the anger of rival teams on pit road.
IndyCar team owners exited Penske’s office motorhome on the paddock at Barber after the impromptu meeting relieved that the series owner confronted the drama head-on and was frank about the subject saying, “It’s my organization, and I’m responsible”. A.J. Foyt said after exiting the Penske motorhome, “I’ve known Roger longer than anyone in my career, he’s a straight-up guy. I respect him for standing up to the owners and giving them his side of the story”. Bobby Rahal told the IndyStar, “He’s not in there making excuses. His team let him down, and he’s not standing for it”.
Looking to put the controversy behind them, Team Penske drivers showed resolve as they set their sights on the task at hand in qualifying for the race. Giving a boost to the Penske organization, 2023 Barber winner Scott McLaughlin captured the pole position and teammate Will Power placed 2nd with both drivers starting the race on the front row. Josef Newgarden qualified 8th, starting in the 4th row beside Graham Rahal.
McLaughlin drives the No. 3 Good Ranchers American Meat Delivered, and he affectionately calls his car “the meat wagon”. He had no trouble on Sunday dominating the race, leading 58 of 90 laps. The New Zealander went on to capture back-to-back titles at Birmingham, besting Penske teammate Will Power who drives the No. 12 Verizon Chevy, by 1.3194 seconds. Linus Lundqvist captured the last spot on the podium, finishing 3rd in his No. 8 Chip Ganassi American Legion Honda.
