Keeping Composure in the Face of Adversity
Josef Newgarden is maintaining a calm outlook as he prepares to start the 110th Indianapolis 500 from the rear of the grid. While his Team Penske teammates, David Malukas and Scott McLaughlin, secured impressive third and ninth positions respectively, Newgarden’s qualifying run was unexpectedly difficult.
Despite the setback, the 35-year-old remains optimistic about his car's performance for race day. «That’s what she had on Sunday,» Newgarden remarked regarding his qualifying speed. «It's a different story going into the race now. I feel really good about where we're at.»
His primary frustration lies not in the speed of the car, but in the lost championship points. «I just hate losing out on the points. That’s the toughest thing to me—it’s 12 points up for grabs that we just let wash away. Other than that, I think the race car is in a good spot,» he added.
Leveraging Experience for a Comeback
Newgarden’s confidence is bolstered by his status as a two-time winner of the event. He has previously demonstrated his ability to fight through the field, most notably when he charged from 32nd position to 10th by lap 60 during a previous outing, before a mechanical failure cut his day short.
As he eyes a chance to join the elite group of three-time winners—a list that includes legends like Dario Franchitti and Johnny Rutherford—Newgarden is leaning heavily on his 15 years of experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Navigating traffic and understanding the tendencies of fellow competitors are skills he believes are vital for moving forward.
The Importance of Trust in the Field
Starting near the 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, who is competing from the 22nd position, provides a level of comfort for Newgarden. He emphasizes that while the competition is fierce, racing against trusted veterans changes the dynamics of the pack.
«It's nice when you're racing people that you feel like you can race a certain way and you can trust,» Newgarden explained. «Certainly, when it comes down to the end, it’s every man for himself. We’re all trying to win this race. It would be fun if it's Ryan and me and we can have a shootout, but we’re both going to be going for it.»
Ultimately, Newgarden acknowledges that while there is a mutual respect among veteran drivers, the focus remains entirely on securing another victory at the «Greatest Spectacle in Racing.»