Newgarden Discusses Music City Third Place, Season Struggles
Josef Newgarden finished third in the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, but the result came with mixed emotions for the Penske driver. While he was able to climb the podium after starting 10th, the weekend was another reminder of the struggles he and the No. 2 team have faced throughout the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
"It wasn't the easiest day, but I was proud of the team," Newgarden said after the race. "We came back from the start of the race and got a good finish. We need to start better, and we need to keep pushing ourselves to be better. That's the goal."
Newgarden's frustration stems from the inconsistency that has plagued his season. He has shown flashes of brilliance, like his win in the Indy 500, but has also faced setbacks with mechanical failures and subpar finishes. This has left him with a 7th place standing in the championship standings, a significant drop from his second-place finish in 2022.
"We're not exactly where we want to be," Newgarden admitted. "We're just trying to find a rhythm and consistency right now. It's not easy, but we're working hard, and we're going to keep pushing. We're not giving up."
The Music City Grand Prix was a race of attrition, with several drivers experiencing difficulties. Newgarden, however, managed to avoid major trouble and capitalized on opportunities to move up the field. He even managed to close the gap on race leader Alex Palou in the final laps, but ultimately fell short of victory.
Despite the positive outcome, Newgarden acknowledged that he and his team need to improve in several areas. "We've had some good races, but we've also had some races where we just haven't been there," he said. "We're looking at everything, from car setup to driver performance, to find ways to get better. It's a long season, and we know we still have a lot of races to go."
With the INDYCAR SERIES nearing the halfway point, Newgarden and his team are facing a crucial period in their fight to regain their championship form. Their performance in the coming races will be crucial in determining whether they can turn things around and make a serious run for the championship title.
The season is still young, and Newgarden remains confident that he and his team can turn the tide. But with the competition fierce, they know they must find their rhythm and consistency quickly if they want to challenge for the top spot.
