The Bristol Motor Speedway, with its Colosseum-like setting and fervent fan base, has long been a captivating spectacle in motorsports. Its charm and allure have not been lost on Josef Newgarden, the two-time IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, who is part of the celebrated Roger Penske’s team. While Newgarden has enjoyed a successful career with 31 wins and championships in 2017 and 2019, he recently expressed a deep-seated admiration for the NASCAR’s high-octane short-track racing, particularly at Bristol.
Newgarden’s comments, made during an appearance on Corey Lajoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast, underscored his reverence for the Bristol track. The Tennessee-born racing star, who grew up watching iconic NASCAR finishes, was unequivocal in his preference for the high-banked, half-mile concrete oval. Infused with nostalgia, Newgarden stated, “If I could choose, I would drive a Cup car at Bristol at night. Hell yeah! On pavement, just to be clear.”
This declaration hints at his connection to his home state and Bristol, one of the few tracks he visited as a child. The excitement was palpable as he reminisced about the thrill of watching races at Bristol, likening the racers to gladiators in an arena. His affinity for Bristol extends to his eagerness to see the track return to its original pavement after a brief period as a dirt track from 2021 to 2023.
Bristol’s reputation as NASCAR’s most electrifying venue is well-established. From its opening in 1961, it has provided countless heart-stopping moments, especially after its banking was increased to 28 degrees. Newgarden’s sentiments resonate with the words of NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip, who won 12 times at Bristol and stated, “There is no place like Bristol. Literally no place on this earth, not another track like it and not another experience like it.”
Newgarden’s public endorsement of the Bristol experience and NASCAR raises an intriguing possibility – a potential crossover from IndyCar to NASCAR. This idea gains traction considering his rising stature in the racing world. Newgarden, after back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories in 2023 and 2024, secured a multi-year contract with Team Penske, further affirming his position in the team.
Team Penske has a distinguished record of cross-series success and driver versatility. Its owner, Roger Penske, has shown flexibility in placing his drivers in different racing disciplines, from Formula 1 to NASCAR to IndyCar. Notable examples include Juan Pablo Montoya’s transitions and Austin Cindric’s quick ascendancy from sports cars to NASCAR Cup Series winner.
Given this backdrop and Newgarden’s recent Daytona 24 Hours victory, his comments on Bristol could be a precursor to a shift in his racing career. With Penske’s team members Helio Castroneves and Katherine Legge participating in the Daytona 500 and Cup Series respectively, it’s worth contemplating if Newgarden’s turn to race in the Next-Gen car is on the horizon. Racing fans eagerly await the day Newgarden might illuminate the Bristol race with his talent and enthusiasm. Could we soon witness Newgarden make a splash in the Cup Series? Only time will tell.