'Really difficult moment': Doug Boles is hopeful after Indy 500 penalties, controversies

Yahoo

2 days ago

Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Series president Doug Boles and three drivers sent to the back of the Indianapolis 500 finishing order focused on the future at Monday night's victory banquet.
Boles said the controversies over the previous week — including the penalties assessed to two Team Penske cars post-qualifying — strengthened his faith in those in the paddock.
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"Unfortunately, I've had to have some difficult conversations with those great teams and those great people, including last night and this morning," he said.
"It's a really difficult moment for all of us. But I think it's a moment we can use to move forward."
Boles said he offered Callum Ilott, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson the chance to skip the banquet, but they showed up. Those drivers' cars failed post-race inspection and were penalized. Ilott had finished 12th but is shown 33rd; Kirkwood, from sixth to 32nd; and Ericsson from second to 31st.
Boles ended his speech on a hopeful note, noting the strong TV ratings and reserved seating sellout.
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"We're going to go in the right direction," he said. "If you're on board with us, you're going to have a great ride. If you're not on board with us, you better get going because we're just going up."
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Ilott, who drives for Prema Racing, said he heard about his penalty midday Monday: "I was at brunch, and it was ruined, unfortunately."
Ericsson and Kirkwood drive for Andretti Global. Eventual winner Alex Palou passed Ericsson with 14 laps remaining, and Kirkwood had improved 17 places from his starting spot of 23rd.
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"It's been an emotional 24 hours, to say the least," said Ericsson, who was gutted on Sunday.
The 2022 race winner also finished second in 2023, so he knows Indy 500 close calls.
"We had an incredible car. I thought I had the best race car I've ever had," Kirkwood said. "This team is built on sportsmanship and integrity, and we'll do everything right in the future."
Monday's penalties come a little more than a week after the cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power were sent from the Fast 12 to the back row of the starting grid for tech violations. After the post-race penalties, Newgarden placed 22nd and Power finished 16th.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar president addresses Indy 500 penalties, controversies