Josef Newgarden, the reigning Indianapolis 500 champion, declared with confidence at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week that he is determined to achieve an unprecedented third consecutive Indy 500 victory. Starting from the 32nd position, a career-low for Newgarden since joining Team Penske in 2017, the driver remains focused on the challenge ahead despite recent team upheavals and grid penalties.
Newgarden emphasized that while he has no exact formula for advancing from such a low starting spot, he trusts the strategy that has already delivered two dramatic last-lap wins for him in the past two years. “Oh, absolutely,” Newgarden said during Media Day when asked if he believes he can accomplish this feat.
“We’ve done it before, and we’ll try and do the exact same this (Sunday).”
Strategic Challenges and Leadership Changes at Team Penske
Following the suspension of three senior executives from Team Penske over recent rules infractions, new personnel will take over the critical roles of race-day strategists for Newgarden and his teammates Will Power and Scott McLaughlin. Ron Ruzewski, Luke Mason, Kyle Moyer, Jonathan Diuguid, and Ben Bretzman will fill these vacancies, replacing former leaders including Tim Cindric.
Despite the upheaval, Newgarden steered clear of dwelling on the team‘s difficulties, instead framing his pursuit as a formidable “bigger mountain” to climb. He highlighted the complexity of Indy 500 racing, focusing on endurance, timing, and careful management of yellow flags and race strategy.
“There is no one formula (to win),”
Newgarden explained.
“I know ‘a’ formula, and I don’t think it changes starting 32nd. We know what we need to do throughout the race to give ourselves an opportunity to go for the win. … It’s 500 miles. A lot you have to calculate your way through, the way you manage yellows, where you put yourself in the strategies, when you make moves, when you don’t. There’s a cadence to it.”
Will Power Reflects on Overcoming Adversity and Race Day’s Unpredictability
Will Power, another Team Penske driver who similarly starts deep in the pack, spoke on the pressures the team faces as well as the motivating effect of the recent staff changes. Power, who started from 32nd in the 2021 Indy 500, acknowledged the motivating nature of stepping up amid adversity.
“I think you get the best out of people in those situations. No one is ever ready for that. That’s why competition is so good. I think that’s what always gets the best out of me is tough situations. You see how good you really are.”
—Will Power, Team Penske driver
Power also pointed to the long history of curveballs the Indianapolis 500 throws at drivers and teams, noting the chaos and unpredictability are ingrained aspects of this race.
“An incredible number of circumstances that you would have never dreamed would play out like this… That’s Indianapolis. You just never know, man.”
—Will Power, Team Penske driver
He cited 2025’s race weekend surprises, including PREMA Racing grabbing the pole in their first year and McLaughlin crashing a potentially pole-winning car in practice.
“In some ways, having been (in the sport) so long, it’s not that shocking.”
—Will Power, Team Penske driver
From Rivals to Teammates: The New Dynamic Between Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves
The longstanding rivalry between Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon and Meyer Shank Racing’s Helio Castroneves has evolved into a collaborative relationship for the current season, due to a technical alliance between their respective teams. Both legends, with impressive win totals and Indy 500 victories, have shifted from fierce opponents to partners sharing resources and strategies.
“It’s been different,” Castroneves remarked on their new working relationship, adding praise for Ganassi’s sustained success thanks to the dedicated team.
“Obviously, Ganassi, it’s not winning so many races because they’re just lucky. They have a great group of people there. I have been enjoying working with all of them.”
—Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing driver
Dixon, meanwhile, expressed genuine interest in Castroneves’ approach to car setups, even adopting some of his configurations during practice to learn from his veteran insight.
“It’s been really relaxed. It’s kind of cool to see everybody evolve in different ways throughout the practice sessions. I know at one point last week we went to the 06 (Castroneves) setup just to try it because I want to see what he’s been working on, what it feels like. I think a lot of us maybe merged in some directions of what he’s been doing.”
—Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing driver
Kyle Kirkwood Confident in His Long Beach Winning Machine
Kyle Kirkwood, fresh off his April 13 victory at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, starts Sunday’s race in Row 8, 23rd on the grid. His No. 27 Siemens Honda for Andretti Global is considered his best car yet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Kirkwood is determined to make the most of it.
“This is the best race car I’ve ever had around this place. I don’t want to see it go to waste.”
—Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver
Kirkwood aims to join the elite group of drivers who have won both the Grand Prix of Long Beach and the Indy 500, a list that includes Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Will Power, and others.
Marco Andretti Embraces His Role as the Team’s Veteran
With his 20th start at the Indianapolis 500, Marco Andretti represents a generational milestone for Andretti Global. Once a 19-year-old rookie contending for the win in his debut, he is now the elder statesman of a younger, talented roster that includes Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson.
Andretti joked about his informal role as the team “dad,” responsible for keeping his younger teammates in check.
“I’ve got to keep them in line somehow,”
Andretti said with a laugh.
Reflecting on the past, he noted how Bryan Herta was his team‘s “dad” during his rookie year and now serves as Kirkwood’s race strategist, humorously dubbing him the “granddad.”
Marcus Armstrong and the Debate Over Windy Conditions
Marcus Armstrong, making only his second Indy 500 start and having retired early last year due to engine issues, is narrowly an Indy rookie. He believes that the challenging windy conditions expected on race day might work in his favor.
“You can tell it’s his first ‘500.’ I wouldn’t want wind and chaos.”
—Marco Andretti, Andretti Global driver
McLaughlin and Carpenter Engage in Friendly NBA Bet
Scott McLaughlin and Ed Carpenter have added a playful twist off the track with a bet linked to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, as the New York Knicks face the Indiana Pacers. McLaughlin supports the Knicks while Carpenter roots for the Pacers, and Carpenter temporarily holds bragging rights after an overtime victory in Game 1.
Carpenter wagered that the Pacers would win the series in six games, while McLaughlin proposed potential charitable donations or sponsor-themed prizes as payoffs for their friendly contest.
Adding to the competition, teammates within Ed Carpenter Racing are contesting who sells the most Java House drinks made in their honor, with side bets off the court reflecting their competitive spirit.
“No one gets much out of this, apart from maybe Ed’s reputation.”
—Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver
Marcus Ericsson Hosts Pacers Game Day Celebration
Since joining Andretti Global in 2024, Marcus Ericsson has become a devoted Indiana Pacers fan. Sponsored by Gainbridge, which also holds the naming rights to the team‘s home arena, Ericsson recently enjoyed a team cookout hosted by his engineer Olivier Boisson while watching an exciting Pacers comeback victory over the Knicks.
“He was doing burgers for the whole 28 crew. We were having a great time. I was also watching the game and eating burgers. It was a fun night.”
—Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver
Ericsson hopes to celebrate his Indy 500 victory with the Borg-Warner Trophy courtside during the Pacers’ upcoming home game.
“When we win on Sunday, I want to go to the game, bring the Borg-Warner Trophy and be celebrating on court while at the game,”
he said.
Christian Lundgaard Finds Common Ground with Golfer Bubba Watson
Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard enjoyed the company of two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson during a visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Both self-taught in their respective sports, they exchanged thoughts on pressure management and mental approaches at the highest levels of competition.
“I always find it kind of interesting to ask those questions.”
—Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren driver
Sting Ray Robb and Conor Daly Share Similar Car Preferences
Juncos Hollinger Racing benefits from the fact that its drivers Conor Daly and Sting Ray Robb prefer identical car setups. This alignment allows the team to optimize resources and simplify car development during the intense preparations for the Indianapolis 500.
“Identical. You could copy one setup sheet to another.”
—Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver
Daly starts 11th in his No. 76 Chevrolet, with Robb beginning 17th in the No. 77 Chevrolet. Both drivers had nearly equal success last year, leading nearly the same number of laps despite representing different teams.
Kyffin Simpson and Ed Carpenter Set to Share a Row Again at Indy
Kyffin Simpson will be making his second Indy 500 start alongside veteran Ed Carpenter, with both drivers appearing together on similar starting rows for consecutive years. Simpson begins inside Row 5, with Carpenter inside the middle spot.
“We were talking about that. We need to do better next year. If we’re going to keep being together, we need to do better.”
—Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing driver
“100 Days to Indy” Series Returns with Season Two
FOX Nation continues its coverage of the Indianapolis 500 with the release of season two of the documentary series “100 Days to Indy.” The series follows drivers and teams as they prepare for the race, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look over three episodes released weekly leading up to the event.
FOX Nation has also acquired both seasons and will stream the full 2025 Indy 500 race beginning Monday after its television broadcast.
FOX Sports Supports Veterans with Purple Heart Homes Initiative
Ahead of its inaugural Indianapolis 500 coverage, FOX Sports has partnered with Purple Heart Homes to renovate the residences of local U.S. military veterans in Indianapolis. This effort, funded by the FOX Sports Gamechanger Fund and Fox Corporation’s FOX Forward, focuses on providing home improvements that allow veterans to maintain safety and independence.
Veterans Kevin Smith of the U.S. Air Force, Gary Dean from the U.S. Army, Donald Covington of the U.S. Marines, and another anonymous Army veteran are currently benefiting from personalized home upgrades through this program.
Pato O’Ward Champions STEM Education at Indianapolis School
Arrow McLaren driver Pato O’Ward visited Indianapolis’s Monarca Academy to help launch a new technology lab supported by Arrow Electronics and the N50 Project. The lab features advanced tools like AI software, a 3D printer, robotics kits, and interactive smart boards, designed to engage 240-plus students with STEM learning.
During the event, the school also unveiled a mural celebrating O’Ward as a Hispanic role model for its student body.
Additional Notes from Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Ryan Hunter-Reay brought his son Ryden to media events, where the youngster charmed reporters by answering questions. Ryden is currently missing the last week of fifth grade due to the race. Hunter-Reay noted Ryden’s favorite part of being at IMS was “riding a scooter everywhere.”
- Kyle Kirkwood is recovering from illness that has limited his rest leading into the race weekend but remains optimistic about Sunday.
- Nolan Siegel expressed sympathy for Jacob Abel of Dale Coyne Racing, the lone driver not qualifying for the race. Siegel recalled a similar experience from last year.
- Rod Wood, President and CEO of the Detroit Lions, has been named grand marshal for the upcoming Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, continuing a tradition of Lions personnel serving in this role.
Josef Newgarden entering the race as the defending two-time Indy 500 champion brings high drama and stakes to this year’s event, especially starting so far back on the grid. His ambition to make racing history by winning a third consecutive Indy 500 will test his skill, strategy, and resilience on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The ongoing team changes, shifting rivalries, and intense competition ensure that Sunday’s race will be as unpredictable and thrilling as ever for drivers and fans alike.
