Josef Newgarden Carrying Good Vibes, Ample Speed Into May at IMS

Josef Newgarden arrived at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week with a familiar objective -- domination.

“I don't feel much different,” Newgarden said. “I feel the same motivation as always.”

He has every reason to feel driven, especially after how last year’s Indianapolis 500 unfolded.

The Tennessee native (photo, top) started 32nd following pre-qualifying penalties issued to his car and that of Team Penske teammate Will Power after modified attenuators were discovered before their Fast 12 qualifying attempts. INDYCAR subsequently moved both entries to the 32nd and 33rd starting positions.

Newgarden was well aware the ruling could cost his bid to become the first driver to win three straight Indy 500s following last-lap passes for wins in 2023 and 2024. But he embraced the challenge, vowing to charge through the field in a no one else has. The deepest starting position for an Indianapolis 500 winner remains 28th, achieved by Ray Harroun in 1911 and Louis Meyer in 1936.

What followed was a remarkable climb. Newgarden broke into the top 20 by Lap 34, reached 14th by Lap 50 and cracked the top 10 by Lap 60 – just 150 miles into the race. Aside from pit cycles, he remained there, running as high as sixth before pitting on Lap 133.

A fuel pump issue during that stop ended his race, leaving him 25th in the final results.

“I think it was going to be one of the most memorable ones because we were coming,” Newgarden said. “It made the day more difficult but also more satisfying in a lot of ways. We just unfortunately didn't get the chance to see it out. I just wish we had the opportunity to see the team finish.”

Newgarden (photo, above) once again showed strong speed during this week’s two-day Indianapolis 500 Open Test in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, reinforcing his confidence as he pursues a third career victory in the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 (10 a.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Newgarden was second fastest overall this week in testing with a top speed of 226.223 mph.

His recent oval form only adds to that optimism. Newgarden won the 2026 season’s lone oval race so far, the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 at Phoenix Raceway. He also has captured consecutive oval victories dating back to the 2025 season finale at Nashville Superspeedway. Notably, each of his last 10 wins has come on oval tracks.

He also revealed that his 2026 Indianapolis 500 entry is the same car he drove in last year’s race, a detail that could concern the rest of the field as he chases history.

A victory would make Newgarden the 11th driver to win three or more Indianapolis 500 wins. The most recent to reach that milestone was Dario Franchitti in 2012, while Helio Castroneves joined A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the four-win club in 2021.

“The car feels good, feels really good,” Newgarden said. “I'm happy about it. It feels the same in a lot of ways.”