| Car Number | #2 |
| Team | Team Penske |
| Engine | Chevrolet |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | December 22, 1990 - Nashville, Tennessee |
| Age | 35 |
2026 Season Stats
Career Stats
Biography
Josef Newgarden is one of the most accomplished and popular drivers in modern IndyCar history. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Newgarden has compiled a resume that includes two IndyCar Series championships (2017 and 2019), back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories (2023 and 2024), and more than 33 career race wins. His combination of raw talent, tireless work ethic, and genuine personality has made him one of the most respected figures in the IndyCar paddock.
Newgarden's racing career began in Europe, where he competed in the Formula Ford Festival and various junior single-seater categories. He returned to the United States and entered IndyCar with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing in 2012, immediately showing flashes of brilliance. A move to Ed Carpenter Racing and then to Team Penske in 2017 elevated Newgarden to championship-winning status. In his very first season with Penske, he captured the IndyCar title, and he added a second championship two years later in 2019.
While championships are the measure of consistency, Newgarden's Indianapolis 500 victories cemented his status as an all-time great. After years of heartbreaking near-misses at the Brickyard, he finally broke through in 2023 with a dramatic late-race pass to win the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. He then proved it was no fluke by winning again in 2024, becoming just the tenth driver in history to win back-to-back Indy 500s. Those victories were the emotional peak of a career defined by perseverance and passion.
Entering 2026, Newgarden continues to be a central figure at Team Penske, sitting fifth in the championship with 113 points and one win through the early portion of the season. At 35, he remains one of the fastest and most consistent drivers on the grid. His ability to win on every type of circuit - ovals, road courses, and street circuits - makes him a threat at every event. With the experience of more than a decade at the highest level and the hunger that still burns within him, Newgarden is far from finished adding to his already remarkable legacy.
Interesting Facts
- Back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner (2023, 2024) - only the tenth driver in history to accomplish that feat
- From Nashville, Tennessee - one of the few top-level open-wheel drivers from a state better known for NASCAR
- Began his racing career in European Formula Ford before returning to the United States for IndyCar
- Known as one of the most fan-friendly drivers in the paddock, regularly spending time signing autographs and interacting with supporters
- His 2023 Indy 500 win came after multiple heartbreaking near-misses, making it one of the most emotional victories in recent race history
Indianapolis 500 Results
| Year | Team | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing | 22 | 26th |
| 2016 | Ed Carpenter Racing | 11 | 18th |
| 2017 | Team Penske | 4 | 18th |
| 2018 | Team Penske | 5 | 5th |
| 2019 | Team Penske | 9 | 2nd |
| 2021 | Team Penske | 6 | 5th |
| 2022 | Team Penske | 14 | 2nd |
| 2023 | Team Penske | 17 | 1st |
| 2024 | Team Penske | 4 | 1st |
| 2025 | Team Penske | 3 | 4th |