Josef Newgarden, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Team Penske driver, has openly criticized the declining driving standards in IndyCar, expressing concerns over the growing aggressive behavior on track. Speaking in 2025 about the escalating incidents, he highlighted the lack of effective policing and respect among drivers, raising alarms about the sport’s current safety and conduct environment.
Concerns Raised Over Changing Driving Conduct in IndyCar
On the Speed Street podcast hosted by Conor Daly, a driver who has frequently been involved in racing incidents this year, Newgarden compared today’s IndyCar driving culture with that of a decade ago. He remarked that the level of aggression and disregard for safety had become a major issue, although he admitted he felt powerless to influence the situation directly.
“I sort of removed myself from it at this point. I’ll let people do what they want to do. I can’t influence it is what I’ve learned. But it has changed dramatically from what it was 10 or 15 years ago. The paddock has changed,” Josef Newgarden said. [1:25:00 onwards]
“The way I saw the paddock 10-15 years ago, there was a little bit more respect that was just in the atmosphere everywhere. People used to just understand that you want to drive to the limit, we’re incredibly competitive people, and that’s okay. But we got to somehow take care of each other at the same time. There’s this understood line that you should really try and not cross. I don’t see the respect off the track or on the track like I used to see it 10 years ago. That’s a hard thing to fix.”
Newgarden pointed out that while competing fiercely is natural in IndyCar, there used to be an unspoken agreement among drivers to protect one another on the track, a value he believes has eroded over recent years. This shift has unfortunately resulted in more frequent and serious collisions during races.
Impact of Incidents on Josef Newgarden and Conor Daly During 2025 Season
Josef Newgarden and Conor Daly experienced numerous on-track incidents throughout the 2025 season, although Newgarden’s crashes were mostly due to unfortunate circumstances involving other drivers. For instance, Newgarden was collected by Louis Foster at Gateway and later by Jacob Abel in Toronto through no fault of his own. Conversely, Daly’s incidents often stemmed from aggressive moves by rivals such as Santino Ferrucci at Mid-Ohio and Christian Rasmussen at Portland, where Daly was left with minimal space to maneuver.
Earlier in the year, Daly publicly condemned the overall decline in driving standards, labeling them the lowest they have ever been in IndyCar history. This statement underscored the mounting frustrations felt by many drivers regarding the level of discipline and respect on the circuit.
Newgarden Points to IndyCar’s Weakness in Addressing Aggressive Young Drivers
Addressing the roots of the problem, Newgarden acknowledged the natural presence of aggressive driving among younger racers but criticized how the sport’s leadership fails to appropriately manage it. He suggested that the lack of enforcement and penalization for reckless driving only encourages further dangerous behavior.
“If you want to survive in that environment, you have to start to adapt to what is happening. The fact that this is starting to ramp up… and a lot of these young guys… I was a young guy at one point. It’s not against the youth thing. I love young, fast, aggressive drivers. I was one of those guys too. So I’ve got no problem with that.
But you certainly see this next generation bring in a different level of aggression that’s maybe a bit too much. And you just got to play in their playground because no one’s stopping it. There’s no one there to help you. No one’s going to call a call, no one’s going to throw a flag. If you get taken out, you just got to swallow the pill.”
Newgarden highlighted that, unlike earlier years when officials were more vigilant in calling out infractions, IndyCar currently lacks strict consequences for dangerous moves. For example, Christian Rasmussen was not penalized after his collision with Conor Daly at Portland, despite Daly being forced into the barriers at speeds exceeding 140 mph.
Strong Season Finishes Offer Some Relief Amid Turmoil
Despite the troubling trend in driving standards and racing incidents, both Josef Newgarden and Conor Daly concluded the 2025 season positively. Newgarden secured his first victory of the year at the Nashville season finale, celebrating a win on home soil for Team Penske. Meanwhile, Daly delivered a remarkable performance, recovering from 24th position to finish 5th, becoming the race’s biggest mover.
These results demonstrate that, despite the challenges caused by aggressive driving and inconsistent officiating, the competitive spirit and skill of established drivers like Newgarden and Daly remain strong.
Ongoing Challenges for IndyCar’s Safety and Race Integrity
Josef Newgarden’s critique of IndyCar’s current driving standards draws attention to a potentially deep-rooted issue within the sport. The perceived decline in respect among drivers and the ineffective policing of aggressive moves pose risks not only to competitors’ safety but also to the sport’s reputation. Unless IndyCar implements stricter oversight and clearer penalties, the trend of reckless driving could intensify, increasing the likelihood of accidents and driver frustration.
As the 2026 season approaches, fans and drivers alike will be watching closely to see if IndyCar leadership addresses these concerns, restoring order and respect on and off the track to protect all participants in this highly competitive racing series.
