Josef Newgarden took his fourth career Verizon IndyCar Series victory on Sunday as he took the chequered flag at Barber Motorsports Park, clinching his first win as a Team Penske driver in the process.
Two years after taking his maiden IndyCar victory at the same circuit, Newgarden was in contention for much of the afternoon but found himself following team-mate Will Power in second until the Australian was forced to pit due to a deflating tyre late in the day.
Newgarden pulled off some great moves during the race, including an excellent pass on Scott Dixon into the penultimate turn that ultimately saw him be in the position to inherit the lead when Power had his problems.
“That was an awesome day,” insisted Newgarden. “This is what we work for as an entire group. We always want to get one of these cars in victory lane.
“And, for Will Power, I feel so bad for those boys on the 12 Verizon car – they were on it today and I feel like it would have been a great battle between Will, myself and Scott (Dixon). But it ended up just being Scott and myself.
“It’s a group effort here (at Team Penske) – all four of these guys work together. I’m thrilled for the (No.) 2 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Chevy guys but this is a team effort with all four cars. So whoever is in victory lane – we just want to get someone there with Team Penske.”
