Josef Newgarden is seeking a crucial shift in fortunes as the IndyCar Series prepares for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at WWT Raceway. The 34-year-old driver, who began the 2025 season with championship ambitions, is currently experiencing his longest winless stretch since 2017, putting pressure on himself and Team Penske to deliver better results.
Newgarden’s campaign so far has not lived up to expectations. Despite flashes of strong performance, his results have fallen short, with just one podium finish achieved at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix through seven races. As the series approaches its eighth round, Newgarden is hoping the unique challenges of WWT Raceway will spark a return to form.
Reflections on Current Performance and the Need for a Strong Showing at WWT Raceway
Discussing the season and the upcoming event with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Newgarden emphasized both the team’s potential and the frustration of underperforming. The oval raceway holds positive memories for the driver, but the current season’s outcomes have not reflected his or the team’s true capabilities.
“This place has always been special for us. We have had some really good runs this year, just no results to show for it. It just hasn’t been what we’re capable of doing.”
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver
Newgarden’s reflection highlights the tension between performance and results, underscoring the challenges of translating promising runs into race victories or podium placements. With such a long gap since his last win, the pressure to capitalize on opportunities at WWT Raceway is mounting.
What It Takes to Win at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500
Newgarden is no stranger to success at the Illinois oval circuit. He enters the 2025 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 not only as a past winner of the event in 2024 but also as the driver holding the record for most wins at the track with five victories. This history makes the race a vital opportunity to regain momentum.
He highlighted the importance of having a competitive car in securing wins at WWT Raceway, underscoring that consistent performance has been key throughout his career and this season.
“It always comes back to just having a good race car. I have been fortunate to have that over the years. We plan to just bring the same performance we’ve been bringing all year long. Just try and get to the finish line with the result that matches the performances.”
—Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver
Newgarden’s emphasis on equipment and steady performance reflects the demanding nature of racing on this circuit, where car setup and reliability can determine the outcome as much as driver skill. With 31 career race wins and five at this particular track, including the last two years, he aims to extend his dominance under the night lights of the new late evening race format in 2025.
Looking Ahead: Can Newgarden Break the Winless Streak?
Currently on an 11-race winless run, Newgarden faces an anxious but hopeful moment in his IndyCar career. His strong history at WWT Raceway offers reason for optimism, especially as he prepares to tackle the challenges of the first twilight race in the season calendar. A successful performance here could mark a turning point in the 2025 season, reigniting his pursuit of the series championship.
The stakes remain high for both Newgarden and Team Penske as they seek to convert their evident race-day potential into tangible results, aiming to reverse a difficult trend and restore confidence moving forward in the IndyCar Series schedule.