It appeared all the things that would go mistaken for Nashville IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden certainly went mistaken in 2025.
With one exception.
Newgarden ended the 12 months by successful the Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix within the collection finale at Nashville Superspeedway. It snapped a 20-race drought and signaled a change in Newgarden’s fortune. In 2026, the Workforce Penske driver has gained two of the collection’ 11 races and has momentum, with hopes of repeating because the Music Metropolis Grand Prix champion on July 19.
How Music Metropolis win modified Josef Newgarden for 2026 season
So what is occurring in 2026 for Newgarden that wasn’t taking place in 2025, a season during which he failed to complete 5 of the 17 races and recorded solely three podiums?
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
A Gibson Les Paul electrical guitar is displayed on the Gibson Storage and might be awarded to the winner of the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden takes the microphone as Scott Borchetta, president of Borchetta Bourbon, sponsor of the Music Metropolis Grand Prix, far proper, is presented a Gibson Les Paul throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
Anne Fischgrund, president of the Music Metropolis Grand Prix, speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
Scott Borchetta, president of Borchetta Bourbon, sponsor of the Music Metropolis Grand Prix, far proper, speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
Dave Furst, vice chairman of communications for the IndyCar Collection, speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
Scott Borchetta, president of Borchetta Bourbon, sponsor of the Music Metropolis Grand Prix, speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
Scott Borchetta, Music Metropolis Grand Prix president, heart, speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden speaks throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Borchetta Bourbon Music Metropolis Grand Prix unveils Gibson Les Paul trophy
Scott Borchetta, president of Borchetta Bourbon, sponsor of the Music Metropolis Grand Prix, left, speaks as IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden sits subsequent to him throughout the IndyCar Music Metropolis Grand Prix trophy unveiling at Gibson Storage in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, July 9, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
JOSEF NEWGARDEN SALVAGED 2025 SEASON: Josef Newgarden salvages 2025 season by successful Nashville IndyCar race
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“It simply looks as if somebody wasn’t across the nook with a bat this 12 months to date,” mentioned Newgarden, 35. “I do not know that I can pinpoint precisely what went mistaken final 12 months. A few of it was a little bit comical, and it simply occurs.
“That is simply timing and life. You possibly can go searching and go, ‘Hey, why is all the things taking place to me and our group?’ However generally you simply do not have the wave or the tide with you, and generally you do. Final 12 months we did not have the tides with us.”
Josef Newgarden carried 2025 IndyCar season momentum into 2026
Newgarden adopted successful the 2025 finale at Nashville by successful the second race of the 2026 season within the Grand Prix of Phoenix.
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He then posted top-10 finishes on the Grand Prix of Alabama and Grand Prix of Detroit together with a fourth-place end on the Grand Prix of Indianapolis (highway course) earlier than successful the Grand Prix of Illinois on June 7.
The turnaround, Newgarden mentioned, started in Nashville in 2025 when the 225-lap race unfolded the best way he prefers with wide-open racing on the 1.33-mile trioval. It had a report 12 leaders and 20 lead modifications.
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden celebrates after successful the Music Metropolis Grand Prix on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden celebrates after successful the Music Metropolis Grand Prix on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden celebrates after successful the Music Metropolis Grand Prix on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden holds his son, Kota, 3, whereas he celebrates after successful the Music Metropolis Grand Prix on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, as his spouse, Ashley, proper, seems to be on from Victory Lane.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) provides a thumbs up after successful the Pit Cease Problem on Friday, Could 23, 2025, on Carb Day forward of the 109th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Peter Fanning/For IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Ashley Newgarden and Josef Newgarden (2) stand for pre-race ceremonies earlier than the NTT IndyCar Collection Farm to End 275 on July 13, 2025, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Alex Palou (10) gained the race.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/The Register)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2), heart, waves to the gang from the observe along with his youngster Kota Nicolai Newgarden, with Dale Coyne Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (18) wanting on at proper, on Sunday, Could 25, 2025, forward of the 109th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Kristin Enzor, Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden talks in regards to the 2025 Indianapolis 500 ticket after it was unveiled Thursday, March 6, 2025 on the Indianapolis Worldwide Airport. The ticket reveals two reactions to the win by Newgarden who gained back-to-back races in 2023 and 2024, and two pictures of his automobile crossing the end line for these wins. It additionally pays homage to different two-time winners of the Indy 500.
(Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Josh Berry, left, and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden have a good time their right response to a quiz query posed by seventh-and eighth college students at Robert E. Ellis Center Faculty in Hendersonville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden smiles after seeing his picture Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, as IMS unveils Josef Newgarden’s picture on BorgWarner Trophy on the CoHatch Polk Stables in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden speaks Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, as IMS unveils Josef Newgarden’s picture on Borg-Warner Trophy on the CoHatch Polk Stables in Indianapolis.
(Grace Smith/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Second place, Pato O’Ward, stands subsequent to first place winner Colton Herta, and third place winner, Josef Newgarden, within the Music Metropolis Grand Prix Nashville race on the Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden, indicators autographs for followers earlier than the Music Metropolis Grand Prix Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden fits up earlier than qualification for the Music Metropolis Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden (2) drives throughout apply for the Music Metropolis Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Aug 17, 2024; Madison, Illinois, USA; Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) is handed the primary place trophy after successful the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Large Expertise Raceway. Necessary Credit score: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Joe Puetz, Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden is launched earlier than the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Could 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indycar Collection driver Josef Newgarden celebrates after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities ORG XMIT: IMAGN-728611 ORIG FILE ID: 20240526_mjr_su5_038.JPG
(USA TODAY)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates, Sunday, Could 26, 2024, after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Alex Martin / Journal and Courier)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) kisses the bricks along with his son Kota and spouse Ashley Newgarden on Sunday, Could 26, 2024, after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) yells in pleasure Sunday, Could 26, 2024, after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(USA TODAY)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) smiles for a photograph his son Kota, his mom, left, and his spouse Ashley on Monday, Could 27, 2024, after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates along with his crew members, Sunday, Could 26, 2024, after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Alex Martin / Journal & Courier)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) picks up his son Kota and kisses him on Sunday, Could 26, 2024, after successful the 108th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Mar 10, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Indycar driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates successful the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Necessary Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Peter Casey, Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Mar 10, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Indycar driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates successful the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Necessary Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
(Peter Casey, Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Penske Porsche no. 7 drivers Josef Newgarden, Dane Cameron, Matt Campbell and Felipe Nasr maintain their Rolex watches as they have a good time in Victory Lane, Sunday afternoon January 28, 2024 after successful the Rolex 24 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
(David TuckerNews-Journal)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
The Tennessean Sportsperson of the Yr Josef Newgarden, Hendersonville native, Nashville resident, Indy 500 champ poses by a few of his achievements in his dwelling in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Could 28, 2023, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Clare Grant/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden kisses his spouse, Ashley, after successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Marc Lebryk, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden celebrates with milk after successful the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Could 28, 2023, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates successful the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Could 28, 2023, on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.
(Luke Johnson/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) wins the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Could 28, 2023, on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.
(Luke Johnson/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) climbs out of his automobile on the yard of bricks after successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Could 28, 2023, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Jenna Watson/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates after successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Marc Lebryk, USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 Sunday, Could 28, 2023, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) celebrates with followers Sunday, Could 28, 2023, after successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Jenna Watson/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) heads to victory lane on Sunday, Could 28, 2023, after successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) heads to victory lane on Sunday, Could 28, 2023, after successful the 107th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
NTT IndyCar Collection driver Josef Newgarden (2) competes within the the Music Metropolis Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden leaps out of his automobile following his win within the Sonsio Grand Prix, Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Highway America close to Elkhart Lake, Wis.
(Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden drives the Workforce Penske Chevrolet gained the pole place throughout qualifying for the Detroit Grand Prix Saturday, June 4, 2022 on Belle Isle.
(Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) climbs out of his automobile Friday, Could 27, 2022, on Carb Day forward of the 106th working of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Apr 10, 2022; Lengthy Seaside, California, USA; Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) of United States celebrates his victory of the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside at Lengthy Seaside Avenue Circuit.
(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden, Workforce Penske Driver and two-time INDYCAR Champion, solutions a query throughout a press convention on the Wintergarden contained in the Common Motors Renaissance Heart on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 whereas speaking in regards to the 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix offered by Lear that can return to the streets of downtown Detroit.
(Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Ashley Newgarden and husband Josef Newgarden speak on the grid earlier than the Huge Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Jenna Watson/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Driver Josef Newgarden hangs out close to the beginning line previous to the Huge Machine Music Metropolis Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday, August 6, 2021.
(Stephanie Amador / Tennessean.com)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) of United States heads to the observe in the beginning of the IndyCar qualifier on the Huge Machine Music Metropolis Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, August 7, 2021.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Nashville Josef Newgarden rides a scooter across the paddock afterward his apply run on the Huge Machine Music Metropolis Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn., on Friday, August 6, 2021.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
IndyCar racer and Nashville native Josef Newgarden talks throughout the annoucement of the Music Metropolis Grand Prix at The Bridge Constructing close to Nissan Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020.
(Ayrika L. Whitney/The Tennessean)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden rides within the annual IPL 500 Pageant Parade in Indianapolis, on Saturday, Could 25, 2019.
(Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden (2) of Workforce Penske leaves the pits throughout the Indianapolis 500, Sunday, Could 26, 2019.
(Eric Thieszen/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden (2) of Workforce Penske indicators an autograph throughout Carb Day on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, Could 24, 2019.
(Gary Mook/For IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Ashley Welch, the fiancée of Josef Newgarden, watches the race motion as Newgarden leads the race throughout the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Could 26, 2019.
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden (2) of Workforce Penske has a center of the third row beginning spot for the Indy 500.
(Matt Kryger/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) following the morning warm-up session for the IndyCar Grand Prix on Saturday, Could 11, 2019.
(Bob Goshert/For IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Workforce Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) walks down pit highway throughout apply for the IndyCar Grand Prix on Friday, Could 9, 2019.
(Matt Kryger/IndyStar)
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Josef Newgarden, Indy 500 winner twice, IndyCar driver from Nashville
Josef Newgarden nabbed his third victory of the season.
(Mike DiNovo, USA TODAY Sports activities)
“Clearly, final 12 months’s race produced an excellent present for us,” Newgarden mentioned. “We had multi-lane racing, side-by-side racing. It should not be drastically completely different this 12 months. This 12 months we have taken a little bit downforce off the package, however hopefully we are able to have that very same model of racing we noticed final 12 months.”
Newgarden took benefit of a late miscue by race chief Scott McLaughlin, who drifted and brushed the wall on Flip 2, triggering a warning. Newgarden took the lead on the restart on Lap 205 after which held off Alex Palou for the win.
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Newgarden was sixteenth within the NTT IndyCar Collection level standings headed into the 2025 Music Metropolis Grand Prix. He’s at the moment sixth with 270 factors and 7 races left in 2026.
Can Josef Newgarden repeat as Music Metropolis Grand Prix winner?
In 2023 and 2024, Josef Newgarden grew to become the primary consecutive winner of the Indianapolis 500 since Helio Castroneves in 2001 and 2002.
Now he needs to be the primary Music Metropolis Grand Prix back-to-back winner for the reason that race started as a highway course in downtown Nashville in 2021. It moved to Nashville Superspeedway in 2024.
“It will be enjoyable to go back-to-back right here; I’ve carried out that someplace else,” Newgarden mentioned with a sly grin, referring to the Indy 500. “To do it right here in Nashville could be nice. Nevertheless it’s a tough championship to compete in. All people is nice; the groups, all of the drivers. You must give quite a lot of respect to your rivals, they usually’re powerful to beat each single weekend. So there isn’t any ensures, however I would definitely like to be in place to try to win this race once more.”
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Newgarden mentioned he doesn’t really feel any added stress coming in, not solely because the defending champion, however in his hometown.
“There is not any stress distinction,” he mentioned. “For me, there’s at all times stress once you present up at an IndyCar race to do your job and never make a mistake and carry out. You have got that each single weekend.”
