Penske Celebrates Detroit Grand Prix Victory Amidst Indy 500 Controversy

The 2025 Detroit Grand Prix wrapped up with IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood grabbing victory on the downtown street circuit. Team Penske, meanwhile, seems eager to move on from the controversy clouding the Indianapolis 500 just a week earlier.

In a chat with WDET, Roger Penske—owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar series—shared some thoughts on recent events and the road ahead for the sport. Let’s dig into what made this race weekend so riveting and what it might mean for IndyCar’s future.

The Detroit Grand Prix: A New Chapter for Team Penske

The Detroit Grand Prix, right in the heart of downtown, delivered a standout performance from Kyle Kirkwood. He clinched the top spot in the final race of the weekend.

This win meant a lot for Team Penske, who’d been hoping to put the Indianapolis 500 mess behind them. Two of their cars got penalized for using an illegal part, which didn’t exactly help their reputation at the legendary race.

Roger Penske’s Perspective

During his interview with WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter, Roger Penske reflected on both the Indy 500 and Detroit Grand Prix. He pointed out some positives from the Indy 500—attendance and viewership were way up.

*We had at least 30,000 more people in ’25 than we did in ’24. The number of real people on the ground was 330,000-plus.* Penske said the fan buzz felt electric, and the event set a new record with over 7 million viewers tuning in.

Addressing the Controversy

The penalties at the Indy 500 stirred up questions about the sport’s integrity, especially since Penske owns both the series and the track. Some critics wondered about a possible conflict of interest, but Penske didn’t shy away from the topic.

*We had an incident there which, quite honestly, I felt was unfortunate. We had run the same parts and the same pieces for a year and a half,* he explained. He said he respected the officials’ call and wants to move forward.

Calls for Independent Officials

One big issue that came up was whether IndyCar needs independent officials in tech inspection and Race Control. Scott Dixon, a six-time IndyCar champ, didn’t hold back.

*It’s kind of a tough one. I think it’s great to see maybe a turning of the page for enforcement on a lot of stuff,* Dixon said. He thinks bringing in outside officials could help with credibility and ease concerns about conflicts of interest.

The Future of IndyCar Racing

Penske and others in the sport are looking at ways to improve IndyCar racing. Penske mentioned that now’s the time to reassess everything—competition, track specs, you name it.

*I think there’s a lot we can do to make it better, and that’s our focus,* he said. Keeping the sport fresh and trustworthy matters more than ever.

The Impact of the Detroit Grand Prix

The move to a downtown street circuit in Detroit has brought a ton of energy from fans and drivers alike. Penske pointed out the strong support from General Motors and the city, which made the race possible right in their backyard.

*It’s been amazing down here,* Penske said, clearly pleased with the collaboration. The downtown vibe has given the race a new feel, drawing in a lively, diverse crowd.

Challenges and Opportunities

The Detroit circuit isn’t without its headaches—tight tracks and not much room for passing—but it also creates wild, unpredictable racing moments. Dixon admitted the course has its issues, but he’s optimistic.

*It’s in the early stages of it. Could there be some changes down the road, where they maybe extend the circuit a little bit or open up different kind of pathways and widen some of the parts of it? For sure,* he said.

Building on Success

The Detroit Grand Prix was a hit. The lessons from the Indianapolis 500 controversy gave IndyCar a lot to think about for the future.

Penske leads with a steady hand and real dedication to the sport. The drivers and fans bring a level of passion that keeps IndyCar moving forward, always evolving.

Dixon summed it up well: *What they’ve done is huge.* If you want the full scoop, check out the full interview on WDET’s website.