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IndyCar Champion Josef Newgarden Criticizes NASCAR’s Financial Inequality, Calls for Parity in Racing

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 14, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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IndyCar Champion Josef Newgarden Criticizes NASCAR’s Financial Inequality, Calls for Parity in Racing

Two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden signs autographs after the event to unveil the 2025 Indianapolis 500 ticket Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Indianapolis International Airport. The ticket shows two reactions to the win by Newgarden who won back-to-back races in 2023 and 2024, and two shots of his car crossing the finish line for those wins. It also pays homage to other two-time winners of the Indy 500.

The world of motorsports is no stranger to fierce competition, but the latest controversy is not between drivers on the track, but between the major racing circuits themselves. Josef Newgarden, IndyCar champion and star of Team Penske, recently voiced his criticism of NASCAR, stating that the sport has become “top heavy” in favor of big-budget teams.

Since the advent of multi-car teams in NASCAR, championships have consistently been won by these high-budget outfits. The financial might of teams like Hendrick Motorsports, valued at over $315 million in 2019, and Team Penske, with their 147 wins, has led to an environment where wealth often equates to success. This stark disparity between the haves and have-nots has turned NASCAR into a playing field that is far from level.

These affluent teams are able to invest heavily in state-of-the-art technology, advanced testing methods, and top-tier talent, creating a chasm between them and the smaller outfits. Teams such as Wood Brothers Racing, without the luxury of shared data between multiple cars, often rely on alliances with giants like Richard Childress Racing to stay in the race.

Newgarden, however, is not just a bystander commenting from the sidelines. The back-to-back Indy 500 winner has first-hand experience of this situation. Having raced for Team Penske, he has seen how smaller teams can fight their way to the top in IndyCar, where heart and determination can often outshine financial muscle.

The champion driver drew a comparison between IndyCar, where grit and skill are paramount, and Formula One, where the rule of money and technology is more evident. Newgarden’s comments have sparked a lively debate within the motorsports community.

Newgarden’s statements come from a position of authority, backed by his impressive racing credentials. In 2024, he clinched his second consecutive Indy 500, handing Team Penske a record-extending 20th win at the iconic race. The victory, celebrated alongside Roger Penske in January 2025, was not just a testament to their dominance but also a validation of Newgarden’s criticism.

Newgarden’s boss, Roger Penske, is no stranger to speaking his mind. The motorsports mogul, who expressed skepticism about Tesla’s business model back in 2017, has built an impressive empire in the world of racing. His legacy includes 20 Indy 500 wins, six NASCAR championships, and a roster of legendary drivers including Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves.

Penske’s straight-talking approach is reflected in his teams. Joey Logano recently surpassed Brad Keselowski for second on Team Penske’s all-time starts list at Phoenix Raceway, marking his 510th race. Despite these impressive statistics, Penske’s focus remains on the love of the sport.

In the wake of Newgarden’s comments, NASCAR and Formula One will need to address the concerns raised about parity in their sports. The debate around fairness, resources, and the role of money in motorsport is far from over. As the racing world waits for their response, one thing is clear: IndyCar’s commitment to an even playing field sets it apart from its rivals.

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