IndyCar Racing Rocked By Cheating Scandal Ahead of Marquee Race

Roger Penske on Tuesday said he has suspended the president of Team Penske along with three others for two races for their roles in the cheating scandal involving IndyCar ahead of the Indianapolis 500.

The suspensions are for two races that took place this past weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the Indy 500. An investigation found that the Penske cars had an illegal software system installed that allowed the drivers to use the push-to-pass function on starts and restarts.

Penske said in an interview with The Associated Press that a review conducted by his general counsel found that the team had no "malicious intent by anyone" and claimed this to be more of a "miscommunication" issue.

He also said he remains committed to reigning Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden and is actively trying to sign the two-time IndyCar champion to a contract extension.

"We're the same company we have been for 50 years, and I'm going to hold my head high," Penske told the AP. "This is an unfortunate situation, and when you're the leader, you have to take action. We've done that and we're going to move on. I am not trying to run a popularity contest."

Penske told the AP that Cindric and Ruzewski "raised their hands as the team leaders" to accept responsibility for the mess.

"For Ron and I as leaders of this team, it's not about what we did, it's about what we didn't do. It is our responsibility to provide the team and all our drivers with the right processes to ensure something like this can't happen," Cindric said in a statement. "For that, I apologize to Roger, our team and everyone that supports us. Our No. 1 job is to protect and enhance the reputation of our brand and that of those that support us.

"In that regard, as the overall leader, I failed, and I must raise my hand and be accountable with the others. This is a team, and in my position, it's the right thing to do."

It wasn't immediately clear if any bets might have been impacted by the past weekend's incident.