Josef Newgarden, the Team Penske driver, expressed his dissatisfaction following his performance at the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Sharing his thoughts on social media, Newgarden described his finish as “not ideal” after ending the race in 11th place, a result that fell short of his expectations.
The 34-year-old American, behind the wheel of the #2 Chevrolet-powered Penske car, had qualified in 4th place, posting an average lap speed of 101.845 mph. Despite the strong qualifying effort, race day proved challenging as the team struggled with pace.
“Not ideal to finish 11th, we just didn’t quite have the speed today. Big thanks to Astemo and the 2 team. Looking forward to learning what we can in these last few rounds and finish strong. See you in Portland!”
—Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Driver
Reviewing Newgarden’s Strong Season Performance Leading to Monterey
Earlier in the 2025 campaign, Newgarden demonstrated solid form, starting with a third-place finish at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where he qualified tenth. He built momentum by securing pole position at the Synk 275 event, eventually finishing second due to a slow pit stop by his team.
These results highlight Newgarden’s competitive presence in the season, positioning him as a driver capable of challenging for wins despite recent setbacks.
Setback at Iowa Highlights Team Pit Stop Issues Impacting Newgarden’s Victory Chances
Newgarden recently shared his reaction to a frustrating outcome at the Iowa race where a pit stop blunder by Team Penske cost him a likely victory. Starting from pole position, he led an impressive 232 of the 275 laps, controlling much of the race until the final pit cycle.
The slow stop allowed Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren to overtake and secure the victory, relegating Newgarden to second place. He acknowledged the disappointment but remained positive about Team Chevrolet’s overall performance.
“I don’t know what changes tomorrow. You know O’Ward got track position, and it was game over, just as simple as that so. My car was quick; Team Chevy did a great job. Finally getting a win for team Chevy is a big deal.”
—Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Driver
Significance of Newgarden’s Season and Looking Ahead to Final Rounds
Despite the recent frustrations, Newgarden’s performances have featured milestones, including setting a new record for the most laps led by a driver at a single track. He currently ranks 15th in the drivers‘ standings with 232 points, reflecting both his talent and the competitive nature of the season.
As the series moves toward its remaining events, including the upcoming race in Portland, Newgarden and Team Penske are focused on reclaiming stronger finishes and capitalizing on opportunities to end the season on a high note.
The 2025 season remains open, and Newgarden’s determination to improve will be crucial in his quest for additional podiums and potential victories as the championship battle intensifies.
