By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Josef Newgarden has been officially cleared to race for this weekend’s KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America.
The talented 25-year-old was granted the opportunity to practice in both the morning and afternoon sessions on Friday, ending the day 15th on the combined timesheets.
Newgarden, who is less than two weeks removed from a crash at Texas Motor Speedway that resulted in a broken right clavicle and fractured right hand, cited the pain on Friday but maintained his goal was to press on for Sunday.
JR Hildebrand, who is usually a third entry for Ed Carpenter Racing at select events, tested the No. 21 Direct Supply Chevrolet last week at Road America in substitute duty for Newgarden and remains on standby if any circumstances should change.
Newgarden currently sits fourth in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship standings.
