Josef Newgarden secured his first win of the 2025 IndyCar season on Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway, holding off four-time champion Alex Palou in a dramatic conclusion. The intense contest featured a late restart with 11 laps remaining, which reshuffled the running order but saw Newgarden maintain a lead over Palou to claim victory at his home track.
Palou Celebrates Championship Amid Rival’s Hard-Fought Win
Although Josef Newgarden crossed the finish line first, Alex Palou had already secured the 2025 IndyCar title at Portland on August 10, highlighting his dominant campaign. After the race, Palou performed celebratory donuts in the infield, marking the official end to his championship season while Newgarden basked in support from his home crowd.
Newgarden Reflects on Challenging Season and Team Effort
Newgarden’s path to the winner’s circle came despite a difficult year marked by numerous challenges. Speaking to Fox Sports, he expressed relief and gratitude for the achievement.
“I’m just glad we got one without anything going wrong,”
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver
“Just happy to celebrate this team. They deserve it. It’s rewarding for our team. Tough year. Tough-tough year. But good to get a win here at the end.”
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver
Strong Performances Round Out the Top Finishes
Scott McLaughlin joined Palou and Newgarden on the podium, with Kyffin Simpson and Conor Daly finishing fourth and fifth. The top ten included Kyle Kirkwood, Felix Rosenqvist, Santino Ferrucci, Callum Ilott, and Alexander Rossi, who all delivered solid performances on race day.
Notable results beyond the top ten featured Colton Herta in 11th, Scott Dixon in 12th, Will Power in 21st, Pato O’Ward in 24th, and David Malukas in 26th, demonstrating the depth of competition throughout the field.
The Impact of the Nashville Race on the IndyCar Season
This win at Nashville signifies a turning point for Newgarden after a tough start to his 2025 campaign and highlights the increasing competitiveness within the series. While Alex Palou’s championship status remains secure, Newgarden’s victory at his home track energizes his team and fans, setting an optimistic tone for the rest of the season.
