Josef Newgarden, a leading driver for Team Penske, has arrived in Toronto ahead of the highly anticipated IndyCar race on the city’s challenging street circuit. As the 2025 IndyCar season nears its conclusion, with only five race weekends remaining, the Toronto race stands out as a crucial event for drivers campaigning for the championship.
Following the conclusion of two races at Iowa Speedway, the series now moves to the temporary 1.786-mile street course in Toronto, situated beside Lake Ontario. This race represents the last street circuit of the season before the series heads to permanent road courses and oval tracks to finish the calendar. Reflecting on his career, Newgarden emphasized the special importance the Toronto race holds for him personally and professionally.
The Vital Role of Toronto in Josef Newgarden’s Career
Josef Newgarden’s connection to the Toronto street race dates back to 2015, when the Honda Indy Toronto became only the second victory of his IndyCar career. That early win came while he was racing for CFH Racing, shortly after securing his first career victory at Alabama. These performances helped raise Newgarden’s profile in the paddock and eventually led to a pivotal move to Team Penske, where he achieved two series championships and two Indianapolis 500 victories.
Discussing the significance of the Toronto circuit, Newgarden shared,
“Toronto has always been a special place for me. It was one of my first INDYCAR SERIES wins in 2015 and helped me get to the place I am today with Team Penske. It’s a very demanding circuit but that makes it so much sweeter when you win there. The fans are passionate with great energy, and you can feel that in the car.” —Josef Newgarden, Team Penske driver
Challenges Faced at Iowa Speedway as Newgarden Eyes Stronger Finishes
Despite a tough start to the 2025 season that saw Team Penske drivers struggle to secure victories, Newgarden showed resilience at the recent doubleheader at Iowa Speedway. He earned pole position for the first race, setting the stage for a promising result. Leading the majority of that event, Newgarden was ultimately passed by Pato O’Ward late in the race, finishing second, while all three Team Penske drivers secured top-five results.
In the second race at Iowa, Newgarden began inside the top five and quickly took control of the field. Unfortunately, pit strategies and late-race cautions complicated his efforts, allowing Alex Palou to capitalize and take the victory. Despite setbacks, Newgarden demonstrated strong pace and determination, positioning himself for a strong run in the upcoming Toronto street event.
Toronto’s Unique Position as the Final Street Race of the Season
The 2025 Honda Indy Toronto marks the last time IndyCar will race on a street circuit this year, with the remaining events scheduled at permanent road courses like Laguna Seca and Portland, as well as on oval tracks such as Milwaukee Mile and Nashville Superspeedway. This adds additional importance to the Toronto race, as drivers aim to maximize points on a challenging and technical street layout.
The temporary circuit, running close to Lake Ontario, demands precision and focus from drivers while offering unique excitement for fans. Given its significance for Josef Newgarden’s past success and current championship aspirations, the Toronto round is expected to be a pivotal moment in the final stretch of the IndyCar season.
As the series progresses toward the championship finale, performances in Toronto and the following races will likely determine the 2025 title outcome, making every point and strategy essential for all contenders, including Newgarden and his Team Penske teammates.
