For Josef Newgarden, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener in St. Petersburg was never going to be straightforward.
After a difficult Saturday that left the two-time series champion starting 23rd on the grid, expectations were tempered. But by the time the checkered flag waved over the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Newgarden had turned adversity into opportunity, climbing 16 positions to finish seventh and earning the Josten’s Biggest Mover of the Race Award.
It was not a headline-grabbing podium, but it was a performance that underlined why Newgarden remains one of the most dangerous drivers in the paddock.
The first key moment of Newgarden’s afternoon came within seconds of the green flag.
Starting deep in the field on a tight and unforgiving street circuit, he avoided the opening-lap incident that eliminated several cars and immediately gained positions. On a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult, surviving early chaos is often the difference between a long afternoon and an early shower.
From there, Newgarden and his new race strategist Jonathan Diuguid began to methodically rebuild the race.
Precision Over Drama
Unlike some of the more aggressive tire gambles further up the field, Newgarden’s race was built on disciplined execution.
“Just what you need on a day like today, just execute,” Newgarden said afterward. “Pit stops were incredible. The best I’ve seen in years.”
In a race defined by tire strategy, particularly the mandatory use of two sets of the softer Firestone red alternates, execution in the pits and during tire windows proved decisive. Once the red tires emerged as the preferred compound, the No. 2 Astemo Chevrolet showed strong pace relative to those around him.
“The strategy was pretty standard, but it was a good day for our strategy,” he added. “Nothing went against us, and we tried to use our speed in the Astemo Chevy when we could to climb.”
That steady approach allowed Newgarden to move into the top 10 as the race entered its second half. Clean pit sequencing, consistent lap times, and calculated overtakes elevated him to seventh by the finish.
While seventh may not reflect the ultimate ambitions of a driver with two championships and two Indianapolis 500 victories, the result carries weight in the context of a difficult weekend.
“You just have to be happy with a day like this,” Newgarden said. “It’s a shame how tough the weekend was. I wish we could have made more of it by starting up front.”
In a championship as competitive as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, minimizing damage on off-weekends can be just as important as capitalizing on strong ones. By limiting the points deficit to 26 after a challenging qualifying session, Newgarden ensured that the season remains firmly within reach.
Eyes on Phoenix
The focus now shifts to Phoenix Raceway, the one-mile oval where Newgarden last claimed victory in 2018. Ovals have long been a strength for the Team Penske driver, let’s see if Newgarden can clinch another win there.
written by Philipp Kraus // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
