Josef Newgarden Stages Daring Comeback to Secure Seventh Place in St. Petersburg Grand Prix
In an electrifying display of skill and strategy, Josef Newgarden clawed his way up the ranks to finish seventh in the highly competitive Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. What many might call a “boring day” turned into a remarkable comeback story for the two-time IndyCar Series champion, who faced a tumultuous weekend leading up to the race.
The Tennessee native kicked off his race weekend with a harrowing incident, crashing into the tire barrier at Turn 13 during the opening practice session on the challenging 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit. This early setback was compounded during the qualifying rounds when a last-minute mishap relegated him to a dismal 23rd starting position for the grueling 100-lap race on Sunday.
Reflecting on the challenges he faced, Newgarden expressed disappointment about not being able to start further up the grid. “Yeah, the team did a great job today,” he remarked. “It’s a shame we just couldn’t start up front. I knew we had a good race car and would have loved to have been in the mix from the beginning. I think we could have made something happen. It was just a boring day for us.”
Despite the early morning struggle, Newgarden’s determination shone through as he executed a flawless race strategy. Starting on a set of the harder Firestone primary tires, he quickly broke into the top 10 by Lap 30. His strategic pit stop five laps later saw him switch to a fresh set of softer alternate rubber, which ultimately paid dividends, allowing him to maintain his position until his final stop on Lap 70.
“The pit stops were incredible,” Newgarden praised, highlighting the precision of his team. “I mean, just about the best I've seen them in years. The strategy was pretty standard, but it was a good day for our strategy. Nothing went against us, and we just tried to use our speed when we could to climb. I think you’ve got to be somewhat happy with a day like that.”
Newgarden also praised the performance of Firestone’s new ENLITEN Technology tire, which debuted during the race. “Look, the reds definitely had a drop-off point that you had to manage,” he noted. “For some people, it was worse than others. If you managed it, it seemed to be okay. I thought our car was pretty nice and friendly on them. We were able to utilize them as best as possible, and others struggled.”
As the dust settled on what many could have deemed a lackluster day of racing, Newgarden’s ability to rebound and secure a respectable finish serves as a testament to his skill, resilience, and the unwavering support of the Team Penske crew. While the weekend may not have started as planned, the final result is a reminder that in racing, anything can happen—and for Newgarden, the thrill of the chase never fades, even on a so-called “boring day.”
