Following Will Power, Andretti Global signs strategist Ron Ruzewsk bringing a wealth of experience to lead Andretti Global in the post-Michael Andretti era after being dropped by Team Penske

In a move that underscores Andretti Global’s aggressive push to rebuild and compete at the highest levels of open-wheel racing, the organization has announced the signing of Ron Ruzewski as its new team principal for the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT programs. The appointment, effective January 2026, comes just weeks after the blockbuster arrival of veteran driver Will Power, signaling a deliberate strategy to infuse the team with proven talent from the turbulent aftermath of Team Penske’s recent scandals. Ruzewski, a 21-year veteran of Penske’s IndyCar operation, steps into the role following his unceremonious dismissal from the team earlier this year, bringing a resume brimming with championships, Indianapolis 500 victories, and a reputation for meticulous strategy and engineering prowess.

Ruzewski’s career in motorsports is a testament to longevity and excellence. He began his journey in the paddock with stints at Walker Racing and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. before joining Team Penske in 2004. Over two decades, he ascended through the ranks, serving as an engineer, strategist, and ultimately managing director of the IndyCar team. His fingerprints are on some of the most dominant eras in modern IndyCar history, including multiple drivers’ championships for drivers like Will Power and Josef Newgarden, and back-to-back Indy 500 wins in 2023 and 2024. As Power’s primary race strategist for much of the Australian’s tenure at Penske, Ruzewski was the steady hand behind split-second decisions that turned potential disasters into podium finishes. Colleagues describe him as a collaborative leader with a “sharp technical mind,” qualities that earned him respect across the series even amid the high-stakes environment of Penske’s championship machine.

But Ruzewski’s exit from Penske was anything but graceful. It was precipitated by a cascade of controversies that rocked the team and the series at large. In May 2024, during the Indianapolis 500, Penske’s cars were found to have illegally modified push-to-pass systems, giving drivers like Newgarden an unfair advantage. The scandal led to suspensions for Ruzewski, along with strategy director Tim Cindric and competition director Kyle Moyer. Though they were reinstated mid-season, the damage lingered. Then, in early 2025, another infraction surfaced: altered rear attenuators on Power and Newgarden’s cars, violating IndyCar’s technical regulations ahead of the season opener. This time, Penske showed no mercy, firing the trio in a sweeping housecleaning that aimed to restore the team’s tarnished image. For Ruzewski, it marked the end of a storied chapter, but one that left him available at a pivotal moment for a rival eager to capitalize.

Enter Andretti Global, navigating its own transformation in what many are calling the post-Michael Andretti era. Founded by the legendary Mario Andretti’s son in the early 2000s, the team—once known as Andretti Autosport—has long been synonymous with family legacy and occasional brilliance, including a 2020 Indy 500 win with Takuma Sato. Yet, under Michael’s direct oversight, the organization grappled with inconsistent results, funding challenges, and a failed bid to enter Formula 1. By March 2025, Michael stepped back from day-to-day decision-making, handing the reins to TWG Motorsports, a consortium led by CEO Dan Towriss and COO Jill Gregory. The transition preserved the Andretti name across its diverse portfolio—spanning IndyCar, Formula E, IMSA, and NASCAR—but injected fresh capital and a more corporate structure. No longer beholden to the founder’s hands-on style, which some insiders blamed for stifled innovation, Andretti Global has pivoted toward high-profile acquisitions to signal ambition.

Power’s signing on September 3 was the first salvo in this resurgence. After 17 seasons and 71 IndyCar wins at Penske—including the 2018 Indy 500 and three series titles—the 44-year-old Queensland native sought a new challenge following the attenuator debacle. His multi-year deal pairs him with teammates Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood in a three-car Honda lineup, instantly elevating Andretti’s star power and championship pedigree. Now, Ruzewski’s arrival reunites the duo, a partnership that delivered 15 of Power’s victories. “Ron and I go way back,” Power said in a statement after the news broke. “He knows how to get the most out of a car and a driver. This feels like coming home, but with even more fire.”

The synergy extends beyond the cockpit. Ruzewski steps in as Rob Edwards, Andretti’s longtime team principal since 2015, transitions to chief performance officer for TWG Motorsports. Edwards, credited with key wins like Robert Wickens’ 2018 Sonoma triumph, will now oversee strategy across the organization’s multi-series empire, including IMSA and Formula E. “Ron and I have known each other since the early ’90s,” Edwards noted. “He’s a great choice to lead the Andretti programs forward.” Towriss echoed the enthusiasm: “Ron’s impressive career brings a new perspective to our IndyCar and Indy NXT teams. I have full confidence he will position the team strongly as we build for the future.”

For Ruzewski, the move is a redemption arc laced with vindication. “I’m truly excited to join Andretti Global and become part of such a respected and ambitious organization,” he said. “The team’s vision under Dan and Jill is inspiring. I look forward to collaborating with the talented engineers, drivers, and staff to push for new levels of performance.” At a time when IndyCar is tightening technical oversight post-Penske, his expertise could prove invaluable in navigating the series’ evolving hybrid era, debuting in 2026 with standardized energy recovery systems.

Analysts see this as more than personnel shuffling; it’s a statement of intent. Andretti, mired in mid-pack finishes for years, now boasts a lineup blending youth (Kirkwood, 26) with grizzled experience (Power, Ruzewski). With Honda’s backing and TWG’s resources, the team eyes podiums at ovals like Texas and road courses like Road America. Yet challenges loom: integrating Power’s aggressive style without the Penske infrastructure, and proving the post-Michael model can sustain wins. As Ruzewski settles in Fishers, Indiana, the paddock buzzes with speculation—could this be the spark that reignites Andretti’s glory days?

In the cutthroat world of IndyCar, where loyalty is fleeting and scandals scar deep, Ruzewski’s signing feels like poetic justice. Dropped by Penske for sins of the system he helped build, he now leads a phoenix rising from its own ashes. With Power in the seat and a restructured front office, Andretti Global isn’t just surviving the post-Andretti era—it’s redefining it. The 2026 season can’t arrive soon enough.