JOSEF NEWGARDEN
NO. 2 HITACHI DALLARA/CHEVROLET
START – 7TH
FINISH – 1ST
POINTS – 2ND (-80)
RACE RUNDOWN: Josef Newgarden cemented himself as perhaps the best NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval racer of his generation in Sunday’s Hy-Vee One Step 250 at Iowa Speedway as he drove his No. 2 Hitachi Chevrolet to Victory Lane to complete the sweep of the weekend doubleheader. In winning his fifth-consecutive oval race, Newgarden joined A.J. Foyt and Al Unser, Sr. as the only drivers to accomplish that feat in series history. Additionally, he became the first driver to sweep both races at Iowa, and the first to sweep any weekend doubleheader since 2013. Newgarden qualified his Hitachi Chevrolet in the seventh position for Sunday’s race but wasted no time in once again proving his circle track mettle. The 2023 Indianapolis 500 Champion powered past both of his Team Penske teammates, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin, in one move on Lap 31 and never looked back. A late-race caution made things interesting as INDYCAR moves all lead-lap cars to the front of the field when a caution flies with 20 laps or less remaining on a short oval. In addition, INDYCAR implemented a discretionary “abandonment procedure” where pit lane is closed in an effort to set the lineup as quickly as possible to ensure fans see a green flag finish. When racing resumed Newgarden drove away for his sixth Iowa win and the 29th of his career. Newgarden’s domination at Iowa included leading 341 of 500 total laps and keeps alive his opportunity to win all five oval races on the schedule. Next month’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway is the last remaining oval in 2023, a track where he owns four wins and currently holds a three-race winning streak.
NEWGARDEN’S THOUGHTS: “For us, we knew we had a great car, and the pressure was there because we wanted to execute on it and make sure it was a great weekend. I am happy now. When you finish the first race, its great to have a doubleheader, but you feel incomplete until you get through today. To be able to come back and do it again, and make our car a little bit better, I am super proud of the team. Luke and the entire group. Chad leading the boys, its just a fantastic effort from everyone. Hitachi has been with most of my victories I think, so to be with them and have them on the car is fantastic. And Team Chevy. We almost got a repeat of that 1-2-3 for Chevy. So, sorry we didn’t get that done but they were phenomenal this weekend.”
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
