Josef Newgarden‘s IndyCar qualifying struggle extended at the 2025 Grand Prix of Portland, where he failed to progress beyond Round 2. Meanwhile, his Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin faced an even earlier exit, being eliminated in Round 1. Both drivers expressed visible frustration following their qualifying sessions on the challenging Portland circuit.
McLaughlin reflected on his performance after the unexpected early knock-out, stating,
“I think I didn’t quite get that last lap together. Yeah, just really frustrated with myself really. So yeah, honestly, the Gallagher Chevy didn’t roll out great, but we made it better. I’m really proud of the guys, I think, consistently working, so I just want to deliver for the guys, you know. I’m pretty hard on myself.”
—Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar Driver
Newgarden, a two-time IndyCar champion, also shared his disappointment with the outcome, while acknowledging the effort from his Penske team to install a new engine quickly between Practice 2 and qualifying. He commented,
“Yeah, I think the team did a great job, they put in a new engine quickly, so amazing job. They are the best of the best, so always feel good about that, just bummed we couldn’t make it into the Fast Six today.”
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar Driver
As a result of the Round 2 exit combined with a six-place grid penalty, Newgarden will start the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland further down the lineup, facing a challenging race ahead.
Mid-Season Performances Reflect Ongoing Struggles
These setbacks in Portland come amid a difficult season for both Newgarden and McLaughlin, who have yet to secure strong positions in the drivers’ standings after 14 rounds. Neither driver is currently ranked inside the top ten, showing the tough nature of the 2025 campaign.
In the previous round at Monterey, McLaughlin finished in 10th place, while Newgarden dropped from a starting position of P4 to an 11th-place finish. This performance pattern highlights the challenges both teammates have been facing this season.
Commenting on the recent results, Newgarden said,
“Honestly, it was great to get a solid, fairly stress-free finish this weekend. We’ve had a tough stretch here with DNFs and that has us behind a bit from where we need to be.”
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar Driver
Implications for the Remaining Season and Standings
The Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland represents an important opportunity for Newgarden and McLaughlin to regain momentum and improve their standings. Currently, McLaughlin sits in 12th place, while Newgarden is positioned 15th overall, both eager to climb higher as the season progresses.
With continued technical challenges and tough competition, the Penske drivers face critical decisions and performances in upcoming races. How they respond in Portland could shape their trajectory for the remainder of the 2025 IndyCar season.
