Team Penske Faces Backlash Over Viral Clip of Drivers Teaching “Undetectable Curses” to Fans at IndyCar Track

In the high-octane world of IndyCar racing, where precision and professionalism reign supreme, Team Penske has once again found itself in the spotlight—not for podium finishes or daring overtakes, but for a moment of misguided levity that has ignited a firestorm of criticism. A short video clip circulating wildly on social media platforms captured drivers Josef Newgarden and David Malukas engaging with young fans in the bustling fan zone at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during last weekend’s preparatory events leading up to the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway. What began as an innocent interaction quickly veered into uncomfortable territory as the duo, alongside former teammates Colton Herta and Will Power, quizzed children and fellow racers on creative ways to “curse” a rival driver without getting caught by officials or microphones.

The footage, which has amassed over 2 million views across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram since it surfaced on October 10, 2025, shows Newgarden, the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, grinning as he approaches a group of wide-eyed kids decked out in Penske-branded gear. “Hey, little speed demons, got a question for you,” he says, his Tennessee drawl laced with playful mischief. “How do you trash-talk the guy in the car next to you without the stewards hearing? Like, what’s the sneakiest curse word that flies under the radar?” Malukas, the 23-year-old Lithuanian-American newcomer who stepped into Power’s No. 12 seat for the 2026 season, chimes in with a laugh, demonstrating a muffled whisper of an expletive while cupping his hand over his mouth. Herta, now with Andretti Global after his Formula 1 aspirations took him away from full-time IndyCar duties, and Power, who recently departed Penske after 17 loyal years, join the impromptu lesson, trading tips on coded phrases like “rubber-necked road hog” that double as veiled insults.

At first glance, the scene appears to be a lighthearted attempt to connect with the next generation of racing enthusiasts, bridging the gap between the cockpit’s intensity and the family-friendly atmosphere of the fan area. Penske has long prided itself on accessibility, with drivers like Newgarden often spotted signing autographs and sharing pit stories. But as the clip unfolds, the humor sours for many viewers. One young boy, no older than eight, hesitantly suggests a mild profanity, prompting cheers from the adults and a high-five from Malukas. Parents in the background can be heard chuckling, but the exchange escalates when Power, ever the outspoken Australian, quips, “Nah, mate, you gotta go phonetic—spell it out like ‘F-O-X-T-R-O-T’ so the radio stays clean.” The video cuts off amid laughter, but not before capturing the discomfort on a few children’s faces and a mother’s audible sigh.

The backlash erupted almost immediately, with fans and pundits decrying the incident as a breach of responsibility. “This isn’t banter; it’s grown men normalizing foul language around kids who look up to them,” tweeted @IndyFanMom42, a post that garnered 15,000 likes and sparked threads dissecting the clip’s implications. Prominent voices in the motorsport community piled on. Veteran journalist Robin Miller, writing for RACER magazine, called it “a tone-deaf misfire from a team still smarting from scandals,” referencing Penske’s turbulent 2025 season marred by cheating allegations at the Indy 500 that led to the firing of top executives like Tim Cindric. Miller argued that in an era where IndyCar is pushing for broader inclusivity and youth engagement through programs like iRacing initiatives and STEM outreach, such antics undermine the sport’s family-oriented image.

Social media amplified the outrage, with hashtags like #PenskeProfanity and #RacingRoleModels trending in racing circles. One viral response from @CleanTrackAdvocate, a parent-led advocacy group, featured a montage of wholesome Penske moments juxtaposed against the clip, captioning it: “Teach them to rev engines, not drop F-bombs.” The post drew endorsements from figures like Chip Ganassi, owner of rival team Ganassi Racing, who subtly shaded the situation by posting a photo of his drivers mentoring kids on aerodynamics with the caption, “Words that win races, not ones that get you flagged.” Even Herta, despite his involvement, distanced himself in a follow-up Instagram story, stating, “Was just riffing with old mates—didn’t mean for it to go there. Apologies if it crossed a line.”

Team Penske’s response came swiftly but cautiously. In a statement released on October 11, team owner Roger Penske acknowledged the video, expressing regret over the “unintended discomfort caused to fans, especially our youngest supporters.” The 88-year-old billionaire, known for his iron-fisted control over the series he also owns, emphasized that the interaction was “meant in jest among friends” but admitted it fell short of the team’s standards. Newgarden followed with a personal apology on X, posting a longer video from the track’s media center. “Racing’s full of passion, and sometimes that spills over into dumb jokes,” he said, his voice steady but contrite. “I love interacting with you kids—it’s why we do this. Won’t happen again; promise to keep it clean and focused on the fun stuff, like who can make the best pit stop impression.”

Malukas, still finding his footing in the Penske fold after a solid 11th-place finish in 2025 with A.J. Foyt Racing, echoed the sentiment in a team briefing, calling it a “rookie lesson in boundaries.” Power, now settling into Andretti’s No. 26 seat, was more defensive, telling reporters at a promotional event, “We were mucking about—racing banter’s always been edgy. Fans know it’s not serious.” Yet his words only fueled the debate, with critics pointing to his history of on-track tempers and post-race tirades as evidence of a pattern.

This isn’t Penske’s first brush with controversy in recent years. The team endured a bruising 2025, from the push-to-pass disqualifications that stripped Newgarden of his St. Petersburg win to the Indy 500 parts scandal that saw Power and Newgarden’s cars fail inspection, prompting internal shake-ups. Those episodes eroded trust, with rival drivers like Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward voicing frustrations over perceived favoritism since Penske’s dual role as team owner and series steward. The current uproar taps into that lingering resentment, with some fans questioning whether the team’s culture fosters accountability or excuses poor judgment under the guise of “racing toughness.”

As IndyCar hurtles toward the season finale at WWTR, where Newgarden clinched a controversial victory last year by spinning but recovering to beat McLaughlin, the focus shifts uncomfortably from horsepower to heart. Supporters argue the clip highlights the human side of drivers—flawed, fun-loving athletes who bond over shared adrenaline rushes. “It’s harmless ribbing in a sport that’s too sanitized sometimes,” posted @PenskePrideFan, defending the quartet. But detractors, including child psychologists quoted in a CNN Sports segment, warn of the influence wielded by role models. “Kids mimic what they see from heroes,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez. “Teaching evasion of rules, even jokingly, blurs lines between play and propriety.”

For Malukas, whose meteoric rise from Foyt’s midfield battles to Penske’s elite garage represents the sport’s promise, the timing stings. Signed in September amid speculation of Power’s exit and Herta’s F1 pivot, he’s positioned as the fresh face to revitalize a team mired in fifth place last season. Newgarden, meanwhile, carries the weight of back-to-back Indy triumphs but also the scars of scandals. As the clip continues to circulate, dissected in podcasts and fan forums, it serves as a stark reminder: In racing, where every word can echo like an engine roar, the checkered flag isn’t just for laps—it’s for conduct too.

Penske has pledged sensitivity training for its drivers and staff, a move hailed by the IndyCar Players Association as proactive. Whether this quells the storm or merely adds fuel remains to be seen. For now, the fan zone at future events might feel a tad quieter, the laughter a bit more guarded. In a sport built on speed and spectacle, the real test is navigating the turns of public perception without spinning out.