The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Newgarden makes U.S. IndyCar history
Roger Penske’s drivers had just finished 1-2-3 in the IndyCar standings, and shaking up his lineup didn’t seem to be a priority.
But with Josef Newgarden available in free agency, Penske bounced Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya out of his ride to sign the up-and-coming American.
Almost a year to the day later, the move resulted in a 15th IndyCar championship for Team Penske.
Newgarden closed out the best year of his career as the top driver in IndyCar. His nearly flawless performance Sunday night at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway made Newgarden the second American in 11 years to win the IndyCar title, joining Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2012.
“When we saw he was available ... I think we saw the opportunity,” Penske said.
Newgarden, a Tennessee native, is 26 and the youngest driver to win the championship since Sam Hornish Jr. won it at 23 in 2002.
Newgarden held off Penske teammates Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Helio Castroneves — as well as four-time champion Scott Dixon — for the title. Pagenaud used pit strategy to win the cautionfree race, but Newgarden was runner-up to take the title by 13 points.
Newgarden tried to catch Pagenaud, was briefly aggressive as he attempted to reclaim the lead, then had to back off and think about the bigger picture.
“I was using my natural instincts. I try to win the race,” Newgarden said. “I tried to get him, but I also tried not to do anything dumb for the team. This has been a team effort.”