Josef Newgarden was seemingly running toward his first IndyCar win of the season as long as he could avoid an already eventful night on the short-oval track at World Wide Technology Raceway.
But as a highlight of Newgarden’s blue PPG Paints No. 2 was turning in front of a Midwest sunset, the Fox broadcast quickly cut back to Newgarden’s car upside down. It was the result of rookie Louis Foster losing his car into the outer SAFER barrier coming out of Turn 4 and gliding to the front of the track perpendicular to oncoming traffic on Lap 131.
Newgarden went inside, but contact was unavoidable. After contact, Newgarden flipped and the back of his car landed on the inside SAFER barrier as he skidded to a stop. Foster and Newgarden were seen and released from the medical center, and Newgarden was shown walking with a team member.
He issued a response on social media Monday.
“Not sure what to say, other than thank you to the AMR safety team and the safety of the car,” he wrote with images of the crash attached to his post.
“Seemed like everything was going our way last night, until it wasn’t. Not much you can do in a situation like that. This season has been pretty trying for everyone on the 2 crew. Only thing to do is look forward. It will only make the successes even sweeter.
“See you in Road America! America!”
Newgarden placed 25th, two spots ahead of Team Penske teammate Will Power and one spot behind teammate Scott McLaughlin. Neither of the three finished the race.
Kyle Kirkwood went on to win the race, his first oval win and third win of the 2025 season. Alex Palou has won the other five races.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Josef Newgarden’s ‘trying season’ continues with crash at WWTR, leaves with ‘only thing to do’
Reporting by Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
