Josef Newgarden had a comparatively easy drive to complete third in final Sunday’s Grand Prix of Portland. It wasn’t with out a few difficult moments, although.
After beginning fifth within the No. 2 Crew Penske Chevrolet, Newgarden shortly fell two spots shortly after taking the inexperienced flag however was capable of rebound with a methodical march again into the highest 5 by lap 31 of 110. From there, he continued to hit on his in- and out-laps, out-lasting a livid mid-race battle with Andretti World’s Colton Herta earlier than ending on the ultimate step of the rostrum, a distant 23.2046s behind racing-winning teammate Will Energy on the 12-turn, 1.964-mile highway course.
“Yeah, it was an excellent day,” Newgarden stated. “I feel it is about what our potential was. The one approach we end larger is that if we begin larger. Want to begin on pole or second place, lead from the start if we need to be larger up.
“It is going to be robust to match Will at the moment. He had a tenth (of a second) or two on us. I feel Alex (Palou) was actually robust to beat, too. If we had observe place on them, possibly we make one thing occur. I feel it was going to be arduous general.
“From the place we began, happy with the progress we made. I do not need to end third, however I feel we maximized what we might at the moment.”
Will Energy, Crew Penske Chevrolet, Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, ]Josef Newgarden, Crew Penske Chevrolet have a good time on the rostrum with champagne
Picture by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Photographs
And looking out forward with the three remaining races on ovals, the 33-year-old Newgarden has loads of motive for optimism. Going again to the ultimate oval of the 2021 season at Gateway, he has collected 10 wins during the last 15 races on the precise observe self-discipline. The return this weekend to The Milwaukee Mile, specifically, has his consideration as IndyCar hasn’t raced there since 2015, when he completed fifth whereas driving for Carpenter Fisher Hartman Racing (now Ed Carpenter Racing).
“I am excited, for certain,” Newgarden stated. “I like Milwaukee. I have been there a pair occasions previously earlier than we left for a bit hiatus. I at all times thought it was enjoyable. I hope we will produce an excellent race.”
Nevertheless, Newgarden admitted Nashville Superspeedway, the observe internet hosting the season finale, is “utterly unknown to me” because the collection hadn’t raced there since 2008.
“I’ve by no means been on the observe,” he stated. “On the market to look at some testing. Actually do not know what that one’s like.
Excessive hopes for the ovals
“I’ve excessive hopes we will discover a good bundle for each locations. I feel Gateway was actually fairly phenomenal so far as the mixture. It isn’t straightforward. It isn’t a precise science. I feel if we might bottle an excellent racing bundle the place there’s usability on a number of lanes, we’d take it all over the place.
“Generally it is a bit little bit of guesswork, trial and error. You must type of go locations a time or two to determine it out on this new bundle. We’re attempting to determine it out, with the additional weight, hybrid, aero, tire configuration.
“General I really like oval racing, too, so excited to complete the season sturdy.”
