ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Josef Newgarden has long understood the value of social media. From his early days at Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and later with Ed Carpenter Racing and Team Penske, Newgarden’s personality, creativity and wit were often on display across various media platforms.
In recent years, along with Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, Newgarden was part of the “Bus Bros” — a video series available on social media that featured pranks, gags and behind-the-scenes looks at the two drivers in a most irreverent way.
But the two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and the winner of last year’s Indianapolis 500 began to feel overwhelmed and overburdened by social media. For as much as the platforms connect people, rude conduct and insults from “trolls” and “keyboard warriors” can ruin good days.
Newgarden wanted to experience the “joy of racing” once again.
The best way to do that was get off social media.
No more “Bus Bros.” No more videos featuring “Shirts for Sage.” No more scouring the social media timelines to find out what is going on in the world from people who are self-professed experts, but really aren’t.
Newgarden wanted to declutter his process and focus on racing.
That was never more evident than Newgarden’s dominant victory in the March 10 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The Team Penske driver started on the pole, was briefly challenged on the opening lap by Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing and led 92 laps in the 100-lap street race.
It was a brilliant display of Newgarden’s talent as he scored the 30th IndyCar Series victory, breaking a tie for 13th place with four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears.
“It’s a great honor,” Newgarden told SPEED SPORT. “I’ve had the privilege of being a part of Team Penske and Rick is a legend, a tremendous competitor and racer and has been an ally to our team and all of drivers that come through the program. Just to be near him is very inspiring and humbling.
“I never thought I would be a race driver professionally and certainly never thought I would drive for Team Penske. To have as many years here at Team Penske as I’ve had and put this many wins on the board, it’s beyond cool.”
Newgarden is the anchor at Team Penske, which includes two-time series champion and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power and McLaughlin. In a series where every point matters, starting the season with a victory is important to developing the momentum that can carry forward toward a possible championship.
When Newgarden arrived at Team Penske in 2017, he won four races and the championship. He won a second title in 2019, with another four-win season. From 2020-2022, he finished second in the championship three straight years.
Newgarden won four races last season but faltered in the final two months of the schedule and finished fifth in the standings.
“I was not in that head placement anymore,” Newgarden recalled. “I was wondering if I could still do this job and do it well. It was the anxiety and nerves of having to deliver. I wasn’t mad about last year. It was done and dusted and a little bit comical the way it ended. It was one disaster after another. That’s how we had the huge slide.
“I was ready to reset, refocus and hit the go pedal again. That’s what we do.”
Rejuvenated, Newgarden is ready to challenge for a third title.
“I had fun today,” Newgarden said after the season-opening win. “I had a great time behind the wheel. It was enjoyable again. I love the process of working with the team, trying to put it all together and we did that today.”
Newgarden’s victory came before the largest crowd to ever attend the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and was an example of what IndyCar does right.
It was a young crowd that saw great racing with a vibe and a buzz.
“There has been a ton of negativity, and everybody wants to latch on to any little news story and piece of information, but there is so much positive energy going forward with IndyCar,” Newgarden said. “The fan engagement here this weekend was incredible. It was a robust crowd. A young crowd. An engaged crowd.
“I felt really good about things and feel really confident going forward this year. We have the best product on the planet. It’s evidenced by watching it. It’s such a great product.”
By simplifying the process and eliminating social media, Newgarden has returned joy to his life.
THIS ARTICLE IS REPOSTED FROM THE MARCH, 20th EDITION OF SPEED SPORT INSIDER
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