Josef Newgarden claimed a dramatic win at the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale held in Nashville, driving the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet. This victory marked Team Chevy’s fifth triumph in the last seven races, demonstrating their dominance in a highly competitive event where they led 207 of 225 laps. Scott McLaughlin, piloting the No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet, completed the podium in third place, while Conor Daly finished fifth for Juncos Hollinger Racing in the No. 76 Chevrolet.
Race Overview: Early Leader O’Ward Faces Setback, Ferrucci Shines with Numerous Passes
Pato O’Ward, starting from pole position in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, dominated the initial stages by leading 116 of the first 126 laps. However, his day ended abruptly due to mechanical failure, dramatically reshaping the competitive landscape. Meanwhile, Santino Ferrucci in the No. 14 Phoenix Investors A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet made significant progress, climbing from 12th to fourth before an unfortunate penalty dropped him back. Despite this setback, Ferrucci led all drivers with 36 on-track passes, ultimately finishing eighth.
Top Finishers and Their Performance Highlights
Newgarden’s win was complemented by a strong showing from his teammates. Scott McLaughlin fought hard to secure third place, expressing both relief and frustration after an intense final lap battle. Conor Daly’s fifth-place finish represented a solid recovery following a difficult weekend start. Callum Ilott finished ninth for PREMA Racing, overcoming tire vibrations late in the race to gain positions. Ferrucci’s resilience helped him recover to eighth despite early difficulties, and Alexander Rossi rounded out the top ten with a steady performance.
Drivers Reflect on the Race and Season
Josef Newgarden expressed deep satisfaction with the win after a challenging season:
“I’m just glad we got one without anything going wrong. For the No. 2 crew. Just happy to celebrate with this team. They deserve it. It’s rewarding for our team; they’ve done a great job… Tough year, tough, tough year, but good to get a win here at the end.”
He also praised the Nashville crowd and expressed hope that the city will continue to host the series finale in future seasons.
Scott McLaughlin shared his emotional experience following a tough season and race:
“I’m not exhausted. I’m fine. I’m just really gutted for my guys. I just got a little high there. Just trying to protect my entry and, just got too high. I can’t believe the DEX Imaging Chevy was okay… And thankfully, it stuck, and I was glad to get the boys a podium. But congrats to Josef. Congrats to the team Penske. It’s a great end to our year. We were good today. Just not good enough.” —Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet
Conor Daly reflected on the challenges of tire grip during restarts and his satisfaction with securing a top-five finish:
“Honestly, I was just hoping we were gonna finish it out there because I didn’t know how good the reds would be, on a restart when they cool down… So, to hang on to a top five is really cool… Just wish we could have finished it off on the podium.” —Conor Daly, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Callum Ilott noted the team’s strategy and handling of tire issues:
“It was a good race. We stabilised in the mid pack throughout the middle of the race… The crew did a good job in the pits and Chevrolet did a great job with the engine, so overall a positive way to end the season.” —Callum Ilott, No. 90 PREMA Racing Chevrolet
Santino Ferrucci praised his crew’s efforts and recounted an intense day marked by strategy errors and battling damaged equipment:
“I can’t wait until next year, and I want to thank Sexton Properties, Phoenix Investors, Vensure HR, ABC Supply, and Homes for our Troops. I mean, this whole team’s done a phenomenal job. Cannot wait to come back next year.” —Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Phoenix Investors A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet
Alexander Rossi spoke about a challenging day and the season’s positives:
“It was going to be tough starting where we did. We stayed aggressive on strategy all day and got a respectable result… Lots of positives to take from the year, lots of room to grow. We’ll start prepping for 2026 now.” —Alexander Rossi, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Java House Chevrolet
Robert Shwartzman shared disappointment in losing the Rookie of the Year contest late in the race:
“That’s the final round finished… We lost out on the title and on a top ten finish as I was running eighth at the time… Thanks to the team for the great car, it felt really good all weekend, it’s just a shame with the final result.” —Robert Shwartzman, No. 83 PREMA Racing Chevrolet
Sting Ray Robb reflected on the chaotic nature of the race and his team’s resilience:
“They’ve worked so hard this year, and I’m very thankful to be a part of it and to come back to a place where I won a championship before it feels like home… This is going be a season to build on for sure.” —Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Holliger Racing Chevrolet
Nolan Siegel spoke about overcoming setbacks to complete the race with a clean performance:
“This season we’ve had many days where there’s been a lot of potential, and we haven’t ended up finishing the weekend… Today, to do a race distance, have a clean day, smooth day: that’s what we did.” —Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Penske’s Leadership and Team Response to Season Challenges
At the post-race news conference, Josef Newgarden reflected on the difficult 2025 season and highlighted the resilience of his team. He tied Al Unser Jr. with his 32nd career win, expressing pride in the collective effort of Team Penske. Newgarden praised the strength of the organization and their capacity to lead through adversity, demonstrating unwavering focus even amid setbacks. He described the importance of executing strategic patience during the race and maintaining composure when conditions proved challenging.
Team Penske president Jonathan Diuguid acknowledged the difficulties faced throughout the year but emphasized the encouraging finish as a springboard for 2026. He highlighted the team‘s success in adjusting to a new downforce configuration and their ability to lead laps across all three cars during the race.
Newgarden on Winning in His Hometown and Team Penske’s Future
Josef Newgarden spoke passionately about the significance of winning the season finale at his hometown track in Nashville. He recalled his childhood memories of watching races there and described the victory as a full-circle moment. Newgarden advocated for the tradition of concluding the Indycar season in Nashville or nearby, noting the city’s great atmosphere and support for the sport.
Discussing confidence for the upcoming season, Newgarden downplayed the impact of the win on his mindset, underscoring the importance of consistent team effort and preparations for 2026. He acknowledged the tough year but stressed the team’s determination to improve and build on their late-season momentum.
Team Penske’s Strategy and Tire Management Amidst Competition
Newgarden revealed the team‘s focus on managing tire temperatures after observing the troubles faced by Pato O’Ward. He credited real-time data and communication with the crew for maintaining control and avoiding tire failures. Diuguid noted that while some competitors struggled with tire issues, the team’s preparation helped them maintain low degradation and a competitive edge throughout the race.
McLaughlin Reflects on Intense Final Laps and Season Performance
Scott McLaughlin detailed the intensity of the race’s closing moments, including his battles with Kyffin Simpson and his near-collision with the fence. He praised Simpson for respectful competition and expressed bittersweet feelings about ending the season on a high note despite missed opportunities. McLaughlin also shared plans for upcoming racing ventures outside Indycar and looked forward to the long off-season to recuperate and refocus.
Regarding the team’s season, McLaughlin acknowledged the challenges faced and expressed hope following recent strong performances. He praised Roger Penske’s leadership and expressed confidence in the team’s future prospects heading into 2026.
Driver Insights on Race Dynamics and Competitive Spirit
Other drivers, including Conor Daly, Santino Ferrucci, and Sting Ray Robb, commented on the challenging nature of the race and the resilience shown by teams amidst tight competition. Ferrari’s significantly high number of on-track passes highlighted the aggressive strategy some drivers employed to gain positions. Many drivers emphasized the demanding conditions at Nashville Superspeedway that tested both the equipment and their driving skills.
Significance of the Nashville Finale and Looking Ahead
The 2025 Indycar Series Nashville Win finale proved to be an exhilarating conclusion to a season marked by ups and downs, showcasing the depth of talent and strategic mastery within Team Penske and the broader field. Josef Newgarden’s triumph on home soil carried both personal and professional significance, marking a rewarding endpoint to a challenging year for the team.</p>
With strong performances in recent races and key leadership rallying the group, Team Penske enters the 2026 season with renewed hope and confidence. The race also reinforced Nashville’s position as a vibrant and fitting location for Indycar’s closing event, promising a bright future for the series in the region.
