Josef Newgarden concluded the 2025 IndyCar season with an emphatic victory at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix, held Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee. The 34-year-old driver seized the win in front of his hometown fans, narrowly edging out Alex Palou by just over half a second.
Newgarden, driving the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, led a commanding 60 of the 225 laps, securing his first race win of the season after facing the possibility of a winless year for the first time since 2014.
Alex Palou Clinches Third Consecutive IndyCar Series Championship
While Newgarden celebrated on track, Alex Palou had already secured the IndyCar Series championship weeks earlier. Behind the wheel of the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Palou’s second-place finish in Nashville emphasized his dominance throughout the season, marking his third straight series title and fourth in five years.
Palou completed one of his best seasons with 13 podium finishes out of 17 races, including eight wins, among them the prestigious Indianapolis 500, four second-place finishes, and one third-place.
It’s been an amazing season for us, for the 10 car, everybody at (Chip Ganassi and Honda),
Palou remarked during the trophy ceremony.
I just had the pleasure to drive it, honestly. I just had the pleasure to be the driver of that No. 10 DHL Honda car, to get so many wins and so many podiums this year.
—Alex Palou, IndyCar Series Champion
Newgarden Reflects on Hometown Triumph
For Newgarden, victory at Nashville was particularly special as he celebrated with his hometown supporters, marking a high point in a challenging season. He expressed his gratitude for the team‘s efforts and recognized the morale boost from teammate Will Power‘s earlier win in Portland.
It’s rewarding. It’s rewarding for our team,
Newgarden shared.
They’ve done a great job. Obviously Will (Power) won in Portland, which was a huge lift for everybody and he really deserved it. … Tough year, tough, tough year, but good to get a win here at the end.
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar Driver
He also voiced enthusiasm about continuing to race near Nashville, appreciating the support from local fans.
It’s pretty great. I think we should be racing in Nashville at the end of the championship all the time,
Newgarden said.
I don’t care where it is, whether it’s at this track or somewhere else, but just in the vicinity would be a good thing. So it’s great to be home, and pumped, just pumped.
—Josef Newgarden
Strong Performances by Other Drivers Highlight the Final Race
Scott McLaughlin from New Zealand secured third place, while Kyffin Simpson of the Cayman Islands and Conor Daly rounded out the top five finishers. Mexico’s Pato O’Ward started on pole and led for a race-high 116 laps but suffered a hard crash on Lap 126, forcing him to retire and finish 24th in the standings.
He’s just a hard worker, on and off the track,
said Chip Ganassi.
He’s always after it. He tied the championship up a few weeks ago but he never gave up the will to win and there’s a lot to be said for that.
—Chip Ganassi, Team Owner
Implications for the Future of IndyCar Racing
Alex Palou’s latest championship solidifies his status among the sport’s elite, demonstrating remarkable consistency over recent seasons. Meanwhile, Newgarden’s rally to victory in Nashville provides momentum and optimism as the series looks ahead. The thrilling conclusion at Nashville Superspeedway highlights the growing prestige of the event and the potential for the city to remain a key stop in the IndyCar calendar.
