Top 5 Josef Newgarden moments from 2025 IndyCar season

Team Penske star Josef Newgarden had a 2025 IndyCar season to forget, given the string of bad luck that the Nashville native faced. The now 35-year-old was the worst-performing Team Penske driver, yet arguably showcased the strongest pace out of the three.

However, there were still positives to take from the season, as Newgarden continued to show a strong pace around ovals. As the #2 Penske star turned 35 on December 22, 2025, let's have a look at the Top 5 moments from the season.

#1 Josef Newgarden's Indy 500 comeback despite the disheartening end

After a slow start to the season, Josef Newgarden and Team Penske looked to be the class of the grid at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the greatest spectacle in racing. All three Penske drivers made the Top 12 qualifying when Will Power and Josef Newgarden's cars failed the technical inspection, and what followed became the attenuator scandal.

109th Running Of The Indianapolis 500 - Practice and Previews - Source: Getty

Newgarden was sent to the back of the grid as he attempted the three-peat at the Indy 500. The Nashville native made his way through the grid and was running with the leaders midway through the race. The #2 Team Penske driver looked like a serious threat for the win when the fuel pump failed on Lap 135.

Despite the disappointing end, Newgarden's drive from the back of the grid to the Top 5 was one of the highlights of his season.

#2 Victory at his home race in Nashville

Josef Newgarden got his one and only win of the season at the very last race of the 2025 season at the Nashville Superspeedway. After being in contention for wins at IMS, Iowa, and World Wide Technology Raceway, the Team Penske driver ended his season on a high.

Newgarden ran in or around the Top 5 for the entirety of the race, avoided making any mistakes, and made his moves after the final pitstop, overtaking Alex Palou and then Scott McLaughlin to take the lead, and won the race.

#3 Strong performance at Iowa doubleheader

The 35-year-old possibly had one of the strongest weekends in Iowa. Josef Newgarden was battling Pato O'Ward for the win of Race 1. The Team Penske driver was in the lead of the race, but lost it to the Arrow McLaren driver in the pit stops, and finished the race in P2.

In race 2, Josef Newgarden again put himself in the lead towards the end of the race, but a slow pitstop, followed by Colton Herta's crash, which brought out a late caution, derailed his chances of winning as he finished P10.

#4 Dominance at World Wide Technology Raceway, but Josef Newgarden ended upside down

Josef Newgarden qualified in the Top 5 at the Bommarito 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway and was consistently running amongst the leaders before taking the lead of the race on Lap 105. The Team Penske driver was comfortably in the lead of the race when Louis Foster hit the outside wall and collected Newgarden as the RLL slid towards the pit lane.

NTT Indy Car Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500 - Source: Getty

The #2 Team Penske ended up upside down after contact with Foster’s RLL and slid that way for multiple metres before coming to a stop. Again, what could've been a win turned into a DNF because of bad luck.

#5 Podium at season opener in St. Pete

Josef Newgarden qualified just inside the Top 10 and had an average start. However, he did drop out of the top 10 momentarily after the early caution caused by Nolan Siegel and Will Power crashing out. A good pitstop strategy and pace meant Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and Newgarden fought closely for the win throughout the race.

Newgarden was running P2 on the final lap when Scott Dixon made a crucial move, and demoted the Team Penske driver to P3. Regardless, it was still a strong performance as the 35-year-old finished just a few seconds behind Palou.

Edited by Pranay Bhagi