By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Santino Ferrucci is uncertain how AJ Foyt Racing will be affected by the latest fallout at Team Penske.
A black cloud has been hovering around Team Penske since Fast 12 qualifying last Sunday, where technical violations were found on the No. 2 and No. 12 entries of Josef Newgarden and Will Power related to attenuator manipulation. The aftermath resulted in both cars being relegated to the rear of the field, with each entry fined $100,000 by the Penske-owned IndyCar Series, along with forfeiting their original pit selections. The biggest surprise, though, was the departures of three key personnel members in Tim Cindric (INDYCAR Team President), Ron Ruzewski (INDYCAR Managing Director) and Kyle Moyer (INDYCAR General Manager).
Various Team Penske employees work at AJ Foyt Racing as part of a technical alliance that is now in its second full-time season. One key representative to note is James Schnabel, who currently serves as race engineer for David Malukas after spending last year with Ferrucci’s No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet.
Although Team Penske have sorted its replacements for this year’s Indy 500, it is unknown what changes could be coming down the pipeline when North America’s premier open-wheel championship heads to the following round in Detroit.
During Thursday’s Indy 500 Media Day, Ferrucci was asked by Motorsports Tribune his thoughts on how the Foyt-Penske alliance could be impacted due to latest situation.
“To be honest with you, I don’t know,” said Ferrucci, who finished third in the 2023 Indy 500 and will roll off 15th for Sunday’s race. “I drive for AJ Foyt. For us, I mean, our focus is to win the 500. Nothing’s changed for us. Seriously, nothing’s changed under our roof.
“We still operate as two totally different teams in that respect. It’s a bummer to see that happen. I think those are all fantastic people that have worked really hard to get to where they are today. It’s sad to see that happen in today’s world of motorsports.”
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