INDIANAPOLIS – On Wednesday night, Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden took his pit crew out to dinner at the famed St. Elmo Steakhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Friday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, they paid him back by winning the Ruoff Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge.
“It was a good time,” chief mechanic Travis Law said. “We enjoyed our team dinner the other night, thanks to Josef. It helps build comradery, get to know each other, and spend time together. We’re a family on the road. Love these guys and love working with them.”
It was the first time since 2019 that IndyCar Series pit crews have been able to showcase their skills in the Pit Stop Challenge. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID 19.
“It’s huge for the team and gives us a lot of confidence for the race,” chief mechanic Travis Law said. “We had to watch a lot of videos because it’s been a while. To be out here again in front of everybody with the music going and the fans excited, it’s a real honor to be a part of it.”
Team Penske earned its record-extending 18th career victory in the Ruoff Mortgage Pit Stop Challenge, this time with two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Newgarden in the No. 2 Shell Team Penske Chevrolet.
The No. 2 Team Penske crew earned $50,000 in awards from a prize pool of $100,000.
This was Newgarden’s first victory and the third for chief mechanic Travis Law, who led the No. 3 crew to wins in 2015 and 2016 with Helio Castroneves. Team Penske’s last victory came in 2017 with the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske crew and driver Will Power.
“Everybody showed up, and we did what we had to do,” Law said. “Hats off to everybody involved, the guys back at the shop to get the equipment ready. Can’t thank them enough.”
Team Penske swept the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda crew and driver Scott Dixon in the best-of-three final round. It was the first sweep by a team since the best-of-three format was adopted in 2017.
The last team and driver to win the annual competition between the best NTT IndyCar Series crews and the Indianapolis 500 in the same year was Team Penske and Castroneves, in 2009. Team Penske also earned its first Indy 500 victory 50 years ago this year, with Mark Donohue in 1972.
“Maybe a little good mojo,” Newgarden said. “Like Travis said, we had a little slower lane there, and they made the difference on that final stop to get it done. I’m always thrilled to show up at the racetrack because I know I have the best of the best behind me.”
Law is one of four members on the crew that attended the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina.
“We learned a lot on the way and a lot of people got us here,” Law said.
This is the 50th Anniversary of Team Penske’s first victory in the Indianapolis with Mark Donohue in 1972.
“We walk in every day, we know what the goal is,” Newgarden said. “There is not a lack of understanding for why we are here and what our job is. It’s going to take all of us.
“I feel prepared. This team is prepared. I’m proud of them. Let’s see what we can do on Sunday.
“You aren’t going to find a tighter group than what we’ve got. It’s a tight knit group with a great attitude.”