ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Josef Newgarden faced a challenging weekend at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg after qualifying near the back of the field on March 1. Despite this setback, the Team Penske driver managed an impressive climb through the pack, ultimately finishing seventh in a race where passing is notoriously difficult on the tight street course.
Starting 23rd out of 25 cars in the NTT IndyCar Series opener, Newgarden knew his race would be an uphill battle. He expressed disappointment at not starting near the front but praised his team’s efforts during the event.
Our team did a great job today,
Newgarden told reporters post-race.
I mean, it’s a shame we just couldn’t start up front. I knew we had a good race car and would have loved to have been in the mix from the beginning.
Key Factors Behind Newgarden’s Recovery in the Race
Newgarden’s remarkable progress through the field was not the result of aggressive tire gambles or luck with caution flags; instead, it came down to outstanding pit work and strategic consistency. He credited his team for executing some of the fastest pit stops he had witnessed in years, which helped him gain crucial positions amid the competition.
Pit stops were incredible,
Newgarden said.
I mean just about the best I’ve seen them in years, and the strategy was pretty standard, but it was a good day for our strategy. Just what we needed to do. Nothing went against us, and we just tried to use our speed when we could to climb.
His race was notably straightforward, with no dramatic tire strategies or risky moves. Newgarden described it as a “boring day” in the sense that the team simply focused on executing their plan flawlessly.
It was just a boring day for us,
he remarked.
Everyone did a great job, and they did it in a simplistically boring way, which is what you need on a day like today. Just execute.
Tire Performance and Its Role in the Race Outcome
Newgarden started the 100-lap event on primary tires, switching to alternate “red” tires twice, which provided more grip than in previous years but still suffered significant falloff. Both Newgarden and his teammate David Malukas, who finished 13th despite an early setback, commented on the tire behavior as a crucial factor shaping race strategy.
The red [tires] definitely had a drop-off point that you had to manage,
Newgarden explained.
I think for some people, it was worse than others. If you managed it, it seemed to be OK. I thought our car was pretty nice and friendly on them. We were able to utilize them as best as possible today and others struggled.
Malukas added perspective on the tires compared to the previous year, noting the balance between grip and durability.
[The tires] definitely had more grip, but pretty strong fall off again,
Malukas said.
Not as bad as last year’s. Last year’s was very much a primary tire race.
I mean, maybe I would want a little bit more for them to last a little bit longer, but the grip jump up is massive, and it and it makes it for a really good play on strategy.
Final Stretch and Overall Reflection on the Race
By the closing laps, Newgarden was challenging both Marcus Ericsson and Pato O’Ward for higher positions, nearly breaking into the top five. However, the late surge fell short, and seventh place was his best finish given the circumstances. Despite the initial hurdles, Newgarden found reason to be satisfied while acknowledging the frustration of the weekend’s difficulties.
I think you got to be somewhat happy with a day like that,
Newgarden admitted.
It’s just a shame how tough the weekend was.
I wish we could have made more of it by starting up front.
Newgarden’s performance at St. Petersburg highlights the importance of consistency and teamwork, especially on challenging street circuits where overtaking is limited. His ability to recover after a poor start demonstrates resilience and the effectiveness of Team Penske’s preparation.
Looking forward, this race serves as a reminder that even when qualifying results are disappointing, strong strategy and flawless execution during the race can significantly impact final standings in the highly competitive NTT IndyCar Series.
