Josef Newgarden’s Mid-Season Comeback Potential in 2025 INDYCAR Season
Josef Newgarden, a two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, has had a rocky start to the 2024 season. Entering the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, he found himself 11th in points—a long way from his usual top-tier standing.
After a promising start in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where he took third, Newgarden struggled to keep momentum. Mechanical issues kept popping up, from seatbelt malfunctions to electrical failures, and he dropped to 12th in points after Detroit.
Josef Newgarden’s Frustrating Season So Far
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The mechanical failures have been especially maddening. At the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, his seatbelts came off, forcing an unscheduled pit stop and a 27th-place finish.
Then, an electrical glitch before the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course sent him from sixth on the grid to the back. He fought his way to 12th, but you have to wonder what could’ve happened without that setback.
Indianapolis 500 Disappointment
Chasing a third straight Indianapolis 500 win, Newgarden saw his hopes dashed by another mechanical failure on Lap 135. He’d started 32nd and charged into the top 10 by halfway, but his day ended early.
He finished 22nd in the race, slipping further down the points standings. That one stung.
The Path to Redemption
Even with all this, Newgarden’s got the tools and smarts to flip the script. The next stretch of races is practically built for a comeback, especially on ovals—honestly, he’s one of the best out there.
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi even said, He’s the best oval racer in the series. He’s the most aggressive.
Upcoming Races Favor Newgarden
The upcoming races could be just what he needs to climb back up. Five of the final nine are on ovals, starting with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Newgarden has won four of his last five races at this 1.25-mile track. Then the series heads to Iowa Speedway for a doubleheader, where he’s racked up six wins in 16 starts.
- Bommarito Automotive Group 500 – Newgarden has dominated here, winning four of the last five races.
- Iowa Speedway Doubleheader – With six wins in 16 starts, he’s always a threat.
- Milwaukee Mile and Nashville Superspeedway – He snagged both NTT P1 Awards at Milwaukee last season and finished third in Nashville.
Strong Performance on Road Courses
He’s not just an oval guy, either. The series is hitting several road courses where Newgarden usually shines.
He finished runner-up at Road America last year and won there in 2022. The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio is another strong venue—he took the win in 2021.
Plus, he’s a two-time winner on the streets of Toronto, making the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto one to watch.
- Road America – Runner-up last year, winner in 2022.
- Mid-Ohio – Winner in 2021.
- Toronto – Two-time winner.
Experience and Determination
With over a decade in the series, Newgarden knows how to bounce back. His grit and skill make him a threat every weekend.
He even put it simply: We can win any weekend.
Support from Team Penske
Penske Racing stands behind him, and they’re one of the most successful teams in INDYCAR history. With their backing, Newgarden’s got everything he needs to turn things around.
The next few races are a real chance for him to show what he’s made of and claw his way back to the top.
For more details on Newgarden’s potential comeback, check out the full article on Fox Sports here.
Final Thoughts
The first half of the 2024 season hasn’t gone smoothly for Josef Newgarden. Still, the next few races might change that.
Newgarden has a knack for both ovals and road courses. That history gives him a real shot at turning things around.
Fans and rivals are watching—will Newgarden claw his way back to the top? It’s anyone’s guess, honestly.
More updates on Josef Newgarden and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are on the way as the season keeps rolling.
