The dynamic world of IndyCar racing now intersects with children’s literature, thanks to Ashley Newgarden, wife of the renowned driver Josef Newgarden. The couple, who are both affiliated with Team Penske, have made a grand entry into the realm of children’s books, becoming dual published authors.
Ashley’s debut book, ‘Goodnight Racetrack’, co-written with Red Racer Books founder Andy Amendola, aims to captivate young readers at bedtime. This launch comes on the heels of Josef’s own children’s book, ‘Josef’s BIG Dream: An Indy 500 Story’. The Newgardens are thus marking their territory not just on the racing track, but also in the children’s literature scene.
Ashley opened up about the joy of exploring her creative side through this venture. “It’s been really fun to just explore this creative side,” she expressed in an interview with RACER. “Sometimes with your husband’s career, you can be in the back seat a little bit, so Josef’s really been the person that’s pushed me to get back into that side.”
She went on to acknowledge the therapeutic effect of immersing herself in this project, especially after becoming a mother. “Once you start having kids, everything goes on the back burner, especially for a mom. So it’s been really fun,” Ashley added.
The unique idea for ‘Goodnight Racetrack’ emerged from the Newgardens’ routine bedtime reading to their son, Kota. Ashley recognized a gap in the market for racing-centric children’s books. She explained that while ‘Josef’s BIG Dream’ was aimed at children aged five to seven, ‘Goodnight Racetrack’ targets a younger audience, offering rhythmic narratives to share a passion for racing.
Ashley drew inspiration from her son’s favorite book, ‘Goodnight Moon’. “My son’s favorite book is Goodnight Moon, and I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read that book. It’s just on rotation constantly,” Ashley confessed. Surprised by the absence of a ‘Goodnight’ book themed around a racing track, Ashley decided to fill this gap. ‘Goodnight Racetrack’ thus takes young readers on an engaging journey around the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
With their individual books, the Newgardens are not only cementing their legacy in the racing world but also contributing to children’s literature. As the IndyCar community anticipates the 2025 season, it also celebrates the creative endeavors of its stars off the racing track.