Josef Newgarden’s pursuit of a historic third consecutive Indianapolis 500 victory was abruptly halted by mechanical troubles during the 109th running of the race. Despite starting from the back of the grid due to Penske’s penalty for illegal modifications, Newgarden’s impressive drive kept him in contention until a fuel pressure failure forced him to retire late in the event.
Strong Recovery from a Challenging Start
Following a grid penalty for Penske over the illegal adjustment of the accentuator on his #2 Dallara-Chevrolet, Newgarden began the race in 32nd position. Demonstrating remarkable pace and skill, he fought his way into the top 10 by lap 120, positioning himself as a serious contender for the win during the closing stages.
Fuel Pressure Problem Ends Hope for Victory
The drama unfolded on lap 135 when Newgarden’s team called him into the pits for a suspected fuel pressure issue. The Penske crew worked urgently to repair the car, but the problem persisted, leaving Newgarden laps behind the leaders. Ultimately, no fix was found, and he was forced to retire from the race, dashing hopes of making history.
Newgarden Expresses Frustration and Gratitude After DNF
The 34-year-old driver expressed his disappointment but remained thankful for the opportunity to compete. He said,
“It looks like some fuel pressure issues, I’m not sure, It’s some kind of anomaly or something we’ve never seen before.”
—Josef Newgarden
Highlighting the team effort necessary in this sport, he added,
Image of: Josef Newgarden
“It’s just unfortunate for the whole group. It’s a team sport, which that very much shows it. You guys were definitely right on pace for what you had to do today to have a shot to make history.”
—Josef Newgarden
He also acknowledged how difficult it is to be taken out when victory was within reach:
“It’s tough to not have a shot here at the end, It’s a team sport. It takes everything to win here.”
—Josef Newgarden
Despite the setback, Newgarden conveyed his enduring appreciation:
“I’m still immensely grateful to run at Indianapolis. As tough as it is to take, I still feel grateful to be out here today. I just wish we had a chance to fight for it.”
—Josef Newgarden
Reflecting on the Rollercoaster of Indy 500 Racing
After the race, Newgarden shared on social media the highs and lows of his day:
“Started 32nd. Made it up to fifth on our strategy before having a problem with the fuel pressure. The car was unbelievable. The team was unbeatable. Feels so frustrating to not even have the opportunity to know what if”
… —Josef Newgarden
He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the Indianapolis 500, stating that one year you can be on top, and the next can bring heartbreak. Summarizing his mindset moving forward, he posted,
“It’s been an honour of a lifetime to have the opportunity to be a 500 champion. Onto the next year.”
—Josef Newgarden
Penske’s Difficult Day Extends Beyond Newgarden
Newgarden’s retirement mirrored a challenging day for the Penske team. Scott McLaughlin, the only Penske driver to avoid qualifying penalties, was involved in a crash during the parade lap while warming his tires, forcing him out before the race even truly began.
Meanwhile, Will Power started last from 33rd on the grid and made steady progress to run inside the top 10 during the race’s middle stages. However, he ultimately finished 19th, ending one lap down to race winner Alex Palou, who claimed victory for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Implications for Penske and Newgarden’s Future Prospects
This unexpected fuel issue and the resulting retirement highlight the fine margins in the Indianapolis 500, where mechanical reliability is as crucial as driver skill. For Newgarden and Penske, the setback underlines the challenges ahead as they aim to regroup and mount another serious challenge in the next season, hoping to reclaim their winning ways at Indianapolis.
