During the recent double-header weekend at Iowa, Josef Newgarden, driver of the #2 Chevrolet-powered Team Penske car, expressed confidence in his team despite not securing a win. The event on July 12 saw Newgarden claim pole position and lead most of the race, but an unfortunate pit stop error cost him victory to Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward. Newgarden emphasized that Team Penske does not require adjustments to their approach, highlighting the team’s strong effort and competitive speed.
Throughout the season, Team Penske has shown impressive speed but often struggled with execution and luck. Even after achieving promising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishes, recent races at Iowa resulted in disappointing outcomes—drivers finishing 10th, 24th, and 26th due to mechanical problems and incidents on the track. Despite these setbacks, Newgarden remains optimistic about the team‘s direction, underscoring their hardworking nature and consistent performance.
Newgarden’s Perspective on Team Penske’s Performance After Iowa Pit Stop Mishap
Josef Newgarden, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, shared his thoughts following the Iowa race where a pit stop blunder altered the outcome. He led for 232 of the 275 laps, maintaining control until the final pit cycle when a slower stop allowed Pato O’Ward to take the lead and ultimate victory. Speaking to Fox Sports, Newgarden praised the team’s effort and insisted no changes are necessary:
“We just have to keep doing what you are doing,” Newgarden said. “Team Penske is working incredibly hard. [Saturday] was a good day for everybody. You could see the spirits lift. They don’t need to change what they are doing. They are doing a great job. They brought a fast car here again today.”
Newgarden’s remarks underline his trust in Team Penske’s strategies and the crew’s dedication despite this particular setback.
Season Progress and Recent Performances Leading into Iowa
Josef Newgarden’s 2025 campaign has shown encouraging moments prior to the Iowa weekend. At the Firestone Grand Prix on March 2, he started from 10th and finished on the podium in third place, securing Team Penske’s first top-three of the season. Additionally, at the Synk 275 race, Newgarden earned pole position but finished second, demonstrating consistent speed and competitiveness.
Newgarden Discusses Race Outcome and Championship Standing Post-Iowa
After the Iowa race, Newgarden candidly spoke about his disappointment at being overtaken near the end by Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, who capitalized on better track position. In an interview with IndyCar’s Jack Harvey, he reflected on the event:
“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.”
Despite leading much of the race, Newgarden was forced to settle for second place. Currently, he holds 14th place in the drivers’ championship with a total of 207 points, aiming to improve as the season advances.
Maintaining Confidence Amid Challenges
Josef Newgarden’s stance about Team Penske’s need for no drastic changes comes at a time when the team is showing flashes of brilliance mixed with frustrating setbacks. Repeated issues such as pit stop delays and unforeseen track incidents have hampered their ability to convert speed into wins consistently. Nevertheless, Newgarden’s belief in his team’s capabilities and ongoing hard work suggests a strong foundation for continued efforts.
The persistence and experience of Newgarden, coupled with Team Penske’s engineering strength, could yield improved results as they refocus for upcoming races. Their ability to maintain morale and build on competitive performances, including strong qualifying sessions and podium finishes, will be critical factors in their pursuit of championship success.
