Written by Dan Jones
Josef Newgarden has signed a new multi-year deal with Team Penske, less than a week after he took home consecutive Indianapolis 500 titles, as the American driver looks to further add to the two series championships and two Indianapolis 500 titles that he has claimed to date with the team.
The news comes off the back of Newgarden winning the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, after he overtook Pato O'Ward on the final lap to become the first driver in 22 years to win the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' in consecutive years, as the 33-year-old brought home a landmark 20th win for Team Penske and 'The Captain,' Roger Penske.
Newgarden said: “Driving for Roger Penske and this iconic team is a dream that I never thought I would realize, I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given during my time at Team Penske. I have a great amount of respect for the individuals that comprise our group, including the partners who support us. Our time together has been filled with hard work, teamwork and dedication; and I’m so excited that we will continue on for many more years to come. I’m sure that we can achieve much more in the future. I still believe we haven’t reached our full potential together just yet.”
The partnership between Newgarden and Penske began in 2017, the season where he won his first series championship, before claiming a second title in 2019. It would be a frustrating few years for Newgarden, as he finished second for three seasons in a row, before claiming back-to-back Indianapolis 500 titles with the team in 2023 and 2024.
2024 also saw Newgarden take home a maiden Daytona 24 Hours victory with the team, in collaboration with Porsche, as the team won the event for the first time since 1969. Newgarden became the first driver in Team Penske history to win the Rolex 24 and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year.
Team Owner, Roger Penske stated: "Josef Newgarden is a true winner, and we are excited that he will continue as a part of Team Penske for years to come, what he did Sunday in the Indianapolis 500 shows how Josef consistently delivers for our team and our partners on the track, and he is just as impressive off the track as well. We are proud to have Josef continue with our organization as his skill and passion embody what it means to be a Team Penske driver.”
Newgarden is regarded by most as the best oval racer in the series, winning all but three races on ovals since the beginning of the 2022 season, with 16 of his 30 career victories in the series coming on oval tracks. Newgarden joins Will Power in being locked in with the Mooresville outfit for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season, with Scott McLaughlin expected to stay with the team too.
The announcement comes mid-way through the Detroit Grand Prix weekend, with Newgarden lying 7th in the standings, and will line up 4th for tomorrow's race.
Comments