Josef Newgarden secured his inaugural Indy 500 victory in 2023, culminating over a decade of effort. Alongside his achievement, Caitlyn Brown, his front left tire changer, became the first female crew member to claim an Indy 500 win with Team Penske, marking a historic moment in motorsports.
The Journey of Caitlyn Brown to Making History at the Indy 500
Caitlyn Brown serves as the front left tire changer for Josef Newgarden’s #2 Team Penske Chevrolet. Her motorsports career began in <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR with Team Penske in 2019, a series she originally aimed to compete in exclusively, as she initially viewed IndyCar as an unlikely goal. Her breakthrough into IndyCar arrived in 2021 when she joined Paretta Autosport, a team established by Beth Paretta to promote female participation, competing with a lineup chiefly comprised of women in the Indy 500. This opportunity facilitated Brown’s transition to Team Penske’s full-time pit crew in IndyCar.
By joining Newgarden’s #2 Chevrolet team, Brown not only became Team Penske’s first full-time female over-the-wall crew member but also made history as the first woman to win the prestigious Indy 500 in such a role. Brown reflected on her groundbreaking accomplishment during an interview with Pit Debrief, expressing pride in her pioneering position within a team rich in tradition.
“Sometimes it’s still hard to believe that I was the first female over-the-wall for Team Penske in any of their series. And then to go and win the Indy 500 in 2023 with them and be the first over-the-wall female for not only Team Penske, but in the history of the Indy 500.”
— Caitlyn Brown, Front Left Tire Changer, Team Penske
“It’s crazy to think that in 108 years, to be able to make history at a place that’s so full of history — It’s really cool and humbling. It’s something that I don’t brag about it because I don’t like to. But it is something where I’m like, ‘that was actually really cool,’” she added
— Caitlyn Brown, Front Left Tire Changer, Team Penske
Josef Newgarden’s Attempt at a Historic Three-Peat Faces Setbacks in 2025
Entering the 2025 Indianapolis 500 as the reigning two-time winner, Josef Newgarden had ambitions to become the first driver in history to claim three consecutive Indy 500 victories. However, his pursuit was severely challenged after Team Penske was penalized and relegated to the back of the starting grid due to an attenuator irregularity. Despite this setback, Newgarden demonstrated significant speed and skill, advancing into the lead group during the race’s midpoint.
Unfortunately, his bid was cut short by a mechanical failure linked to the car’s fuel sensor, forcing an early exit and ending the chance for a record-setting three-peat. Commenting on this disappointment, Newgarden acknowledged the unusual nature of the problem and the collective effort of the team throughout the race weekend.
“It looks like some fuel pressure issues, so I’m not sure. It’s some kind of anomaly or something we’ve never seen before. 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, Driver, Team Penske
Alex Palou’s Historic Win at the 109th Indianapolis 500
With Newgarden’s early exit, the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 saw Spanish driver Alex Palou claim victory, making history as the first Spaniard to win the iconic race. Palou’s achievement adds a significant international milestone to the storied legacy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Broader Impact of Newgarden’s 2023 Victory and Brown’s Milestone
Josef Newgarden’s 2023 Indy 500 triumph is remembered not only for his personal success but also for the notable breakthrough represented by Caitlyn Brown’s participation. Brown’s role as the first full-time female crew member to win the event with Team Penske highlights evolving inclusivity in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Their combined victory symbolizes progress within motorsports, inspiring future generations of women pursuing careers in racing pit crews and beyond.
While Newgarden’s ambitions for consecutive victories remain, the blend of history and innovation witnessed through his and Brown’s achievements illustrates the dynamic nature of the Indy 500. Moving forward, expectations for Team Penske’s competitive presence remain high, with attention focused on overcoming setbacks and continuing to break barriers on and off the track.
