Team Penske president Jonathan Diguid has provided a detailed explanation regarding the Josef Newgarden Daytona 24 exclusion for 2026, clarifying why both Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin will not be part of the Porsche Penske lineup at the prestigious endurance race. The duo, both accomplished IndyCar drivers, were considered for the event after a successful IMSA test last November, but the team ultimately decided to maintain a three-driver roster for their GTP entries.
Details Behind the Driver Selection Decision
Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin took part in a key three-day test with Porsche Penske Motorsport’s IMSA team ahead of the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona, driving the No. 6 and No. 7 GTP cars. Both drivers come with solid experience—Newgarden captured a win at the 2024 Daytona 24 for Porsche Penske, while McLaughlin shared the track as a teammate at Tower Motorsports during the previous season. Despite their strong performances and history with the team, Team Penske opted against adding either driver as a fourth member to the lineup for the next event.
Jonathan Diguid addressed the decision in a recent interview.
“It’s a decision we didn’t take lightly,” he told Sportscar365. “Obviously, Scott’s driven the car and Josef won in Daytona in 2024. They’ve proven that they’re extremely competitive and not lacking for pace. It’s obviously something both of them have asked to do and stuck their hand up.”
Team Penske’s approach weighed not just racing abilities but also logistical and administrative factors, leading to the final selection of the three-driver structure rather than utilizing Newgarden and McLaughlin as additional drivers.
Alternative Paths for Newgarden and McLaughlin
Following the team’s decision, Scott McLaughlin found an opportunity to remain at the Daytona 24 by joining DXDT Racing’s GTD entry. Notably, McLaughlin will be driving with Corvette, Team Penske’s chief IndyCar engine partner Chevrolet, and thus continues to maintain a collaborative connection with the organization. Diguid commented further on McLaughlin’s move and the overall pool of talent in contention for spots on the team.
“Scott’s racing with our IndyCar manufacturer partner in a Corvette, so he’s still going to be participating in the race. We looked at it, and there’s pros and cons. In our case, there’s really no cons from a performance compromise or anything like that. We’re choosing from guys who are performing on an equal level.”
Josef Newgarden, on the other hand, is not set to compete with another team at the forthcoming 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking a notable absence from the race following his previous victory.
Administrative Factors Influenced the Decisions
Jonathan Diguid made it clear that factors unrelated to on-track performance determined the exclusion of both Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin from the next Daytona event. According to Diguid, the complexities of managing time shares and keeping the competition fair across the lineup influenced their approach, especially as the competition in IMSA’s GTP class becomes more intense with each season.
“So that just comes down to administrative things as far as managing time in the car and being fair to everybody there as well. The competitiveness of the [GTP] class in IMSA is getting tighter. Any time you can make less compromises on the administration side, whether it’s seat [inserts] or setup compromises, that’s just what it defaulted to. I wouldn’t say that’s going to be our approach in perpetuity. It’s just the decision we decided to make for the Daytona 24 Hours this year.”
Diguid also noted that these administrative decisions may not be a permanent policy, suggesting the driver lineup philosophy could continue to evolve in future events based on Team Penske’s needs and the demands of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Newgarden Reflects on Daytona Success and Team Spirit
After winning the 2024 Daytona 24 with Porsche Penske, Josef Newgarden shared that revisiting the circuit for testing last November brought back vivid memories of that high point in his racing career. He emphasized the significant role of teamwork, collective skill, and mutual trust required to achieve endurance racing victories. Newgarden’s reflections captured both the pride and emotional connection he felt toward his teammates and the broader effort that led them to victory.
“When you drive this car, you have such a feeling of respect, input-wise,” Newgarden said via IMSA. “You don’t want to be the weak link. You need to know your role. (Winning) was different; it felt like being a proud sibling in a way. I was more proud of the work everyone else did!”
“I did a tiny part, but the race was won on the backs of the team, the manufacturer, and the other drivers. To be watching rather than doing is different, but enjoying it,” the two-time IndyCar champion added.
Newgarden, currently in the last year of his Team Penske contract, continues to compete at the highest levels and recently participated in a Firestone tire test at Phoenix Raceway with former teammate Will Power as part of preparations for the rapidly approaching IndyCar season opener at St. Petersburg.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Team Penske and the Drivers
The decision behind the Josef Newgarden Daytona 24 exclusion points toward a carefully measured approach by Team Penske, balancing the logistical demands of managing top-level drivers with the intensely competitive landscape of IMSA endurance racing. While Scott McLaughlin remains on the grid with a new team, Newgarden’s focus returns to the upcoming challenges within IndyCar competition. The way Team Penske navigates its driver selection for marquee events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona will continue to be closely watched, shaping not only the team’s trajectory but also the career paths of stars like Newgarden and McLaughlin as they pursue their ambitions in global motorsport.
