Two-time IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden produced one of the most impressive recovery drives of the opening round of the season, climbing 16 positions to finish seventh at the Grand Prix of St Petersburg despite starting near the back of the grid.
The race, held on the demanding 1.8-mile temporary street circuit in St. Petersburg, Florida, proved a difficult weekend for the Team Penske driver long before the lights went out on Sunday.
Newgarden’s troubles began in opening practice when he clipped the tyre barrier at Turn 13, damaging his car and losing valuable track time. Matters worsened during qualifying, where a mistake on his final flying lap prevented him from advancing beyond the opening round. As a result, the American driver was forced to start 23rd on the grid for the 100-lap race.
Despite the setback, Newgarden maintained confidence that his car possessed the pace to move forward.
“Yeah, the team did a great job today,” he said after the race. “It’s a shame we couldn’t start near the front. I knew we had a strong race car and would have loved to be fighting up there from the beginning.”
Rather than dramatic overtakes or risky strategy calls, Newgarden’s progress came through measured driving and flawless execution. The No. 2 Chevrolet began the race on the harder Firestone primary tyres (black sidewall), allowing him to run longer in the opening stint while rivals on softer rubber made earlier stops.
By Lap 30, Newgarden had quietly broken into the top ten. Five laps later he made his first pit stop, switching to the softer alternate compound (red sidewall). His final stop came on Lap 70, after which he maintained his pace to secure seventh place at the chequered flag.
Newgarden praised his pit crew for their precision during the race.
“Pit stops were incredible — some of the best I’ve seen in years,” he remarked. “The strategy itself was fairly standard, but it was exactly what we needed. Nothing went against us, and we used the car’s speed when we could to keep moving forward.”
A key talking point of the race was the debut of Firestone’s ENLITEN tyre technology, designed to deliver improved sustainability and performance balance between compounds.
Newgarden noted that managing the softer alternate tyres was critical to achieving a competitive result.
“The reds definitely had a drop-off point that drivers needed to manage,” he explained. “If you looked after them, they performed well. Our car was quite friendly on them, which helped us make the most of that stint.”
Although seventh place may not appear spectacular on paper, the result represented a valuable recovery after a turbulent weekend. Starting near the back on a tight street circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult, Newgarden’s steady charge ensured valuable championship points.
Josef Newgarden – St Petersburg Performance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Driver | Josef Newgarden |
| Team | Team Penske |
| Starting Position | 23rd |
| Finishing Position | 7th |
| Positions Gained | 16 |
| Race Distance | 100 laps |
| Circuit Length | 1.8 miles |
| Tyre Strategy | Primary → Alternate → Alternate |
While the race winner dominated proceedings at the front, Newgarden’s disciplined comeback served as a reminder that patience and consistency remain vital ingredients in a long IndyCar championship campaign.