By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief
Josef Newgarden’s bid to become the first driver in IndyCar Series history to go back-to-back-to-back in the Indianapolis 500 evaporated with fuel pressure issues.
After starting 32nd in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet after the post-qualifying penalty, the 34-year-old Tennessee native methodically marched through the field and was running in sixth with less than 70 laps to go. He dove to pit lane with 68 laps to go for four fresh tires and a full load of fuel, but as he went out on track was forced to return moments later due to fuel pressure issues. Despite the team’s best efforts to sort the problem and get him back in the battle, the issue persisted and he was forced to retire.
“It’s tough to not have a shot here at the end,” Newgarden said. “Felt really good and was trying to be methodical today. You know, it’s a team sport; it takes everything to win here. Still immensely grateful to run at Indianapolis. That’s what I felt going into today. I love this race the most, love the opportunity to be on the grid.
“As tough as it is to take, I still feel thankful to have been out here today. I just wish we had a chance to fight for it. You know, we didn’t get to see what we had there. We were just slowly moving forward. A big thank you to our partners, our whole team. Everybody puts so much into this, it’s a big team effort. It’s just a shame to not be there in the fight.”
Newgarden was credited with a 25th-place finish.
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