On Friday’s Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Josef Newgarden topped the final Indy 500 practice session, showing resilience after a controversial qualifying penalty that left him starting from the last row. The Team Penske driver posted the fastest lap of the day with a speed of 225.687 mph, asserting himself as a strong contender for the upcoming race despite difficulties off the track.
Newgarden, a native of Nashville, was disqualified from the qualifying session along with teammate Will Power due to a rear attenuator modification on their cars, forcing both to begin the race at the back of the field. Nevertheless, during the two-hour practice session, Newgarden’s lap time put him significantly ahead, with Takuma Sato closely following at 225.415 mph. Veteran drivers Scott Dixon, Devlin DeFrancesco, and Will Power also posted competitive times, rounding out the top five rankings for the day.
Final Practice Highlights Show Competitive Edge Among Top Drivers
Takuma Sato’s top speed made a strong case for his competitiveness, while Scott Dixon, piloting his Chip Ganassi entry, clocked an impressive 225.200 mph. Devlin DeFrancesco of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing showed promise with the fourth-fastest speed of 224.778 mph. Will Power, despite qualifying setbacks, completed the top five with a lap at 224.419 mph. In contrast, pole sitter Robert Shwartzman struggled to find pace, finishing 29th in the practice session, while other key contenders, including Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou, settled for mid-pack times of eighth and 14th place respectively.
The practice times underscored the challenging nature of the race with numerous experienced drivers setting close lap speeds, but Josef Newgarden’s dominance made headlines, signaling his determination to claim a third consecutive Indy 500 victory despite starting position disadvantages.
Josef Newgarden’s Ambition for a Historic Third Straight Victory
Josef Newgarden shared his thoughts on the possibility of making history by winning his third straight Indianapolis 500, an achievement never before accomplished in the race’s 108-year history. Having already joined an elite group by securing back-to-back wins, Newgarden’s confidence remains high as he prepares for Sunday’s challenge. Speaking to The Athletic, he said:
“The facts are the facts. We have an opportunity to do it. It is history. It is winning the Indianapolis 500 three times in a row. And it feels like it has very long odds, considering it’s never happened in the 108-year history of the world’s biggest auto race. I dream of winning this race five times. That doesn’t fade.” —Josef Newgarden, Team Penske driver
Newgarden stands as only the sixth driver in the event’s history to contend for three consecutive Indy 500 titles. Of those before him, only Al Unser Sr. in 1972 and Helio Castroneves in 2003 came close, finishing second in their efforts to secure a third straight win. This historical context underscores the magnitude of Newgarden’s quest, which is even more challenging due to his disqualification setback.
Starting from the last row due to the penalty for a rear attenuator modification, Newgarden faces a difficult path through a competitive field. Nevertheless, the fastest lap from final practice serves as an encouraging indicator of his potential pace and strategy as race day approaches.
Implications for the Indy 500 and Tough Road Ahead
Josef Newgarden’s final practice performance is a clear statement that despite controversy and adverse starting position, he remains a frontrunner for the Indy 500 victory. The penalty in qualifying imposes an uphill battle, as he must navigate through dense traffic and avoid potential early incidents during the 500-mile race. Meanwhile, other top contenders like Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato, and Devlin DeFrancesco will also be looking to capitalize on favorable starting positions and race strategies to challenge the defending champion.
As the race day unfolds, Newgarden’s ability to leverage his speed and experience will be crucial in his pursuit of a unique, historic achievement. The unfolding narrative adds a compelling layer of anticipation to the Indianapolis 500, maintaining fans’ attention on both established veterans and rising stars within the sport.
