Roger Penske, the legendary owner of Team Penske, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and IndyCar, has expressed his confidence in Josef Newgarden as his favorite to win the upcoming 109th running of the Indianapolis 500. The prestigious race, often referred to as “the greatest racing spectacle in the world,” is set to take place in 53 days. Newgarden, a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, has a unique opportunity to make history as no driver has ever won the race three consecutive times in its 108 prior editions.
Penske highlighted Newgarden’s readiness for the challenge, citing his growth and expertise under the guidance of Tim Cindric, Team Penske’s Head of IndyCar Operations and one of the most accomplished strategists at the Speedway. Penske remarked, “He took 12 years to win his first race. I think he’s ready. Tim Cindric has won numerous races with this particular car, so I really feel Josef has a great chance”.
Newgarden is part of an elite trio at Team Penske, which also includes Will Power and Scott McLaughlin. Despite Penske’s optimism for Newgarden, he acknowledged the difficulty of achieving a three-peat by recalling Helio Castroneves’ attempt in 2003 that fell short due to unforeseen circumstances.
Currently ranked seventh in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Championship standings with 53 points after two races, Newgarden faces stiff competition from other drivers and teams. However, Penske remains steadfast in his belief that Newgarden is well-positioned to deliver another victory for Team Penske.
Roger Penske also addressed rumors regarding Liberty Media’s purported interest in acquiring IndyCar. He dismissed these claims as baseless, emphasizing his commitment to keeping IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway under his stewardship. Penske stated, “IndyCar is nothing without Indianapolis, and we’re all-in. There’s not enough money that would even tempt me to sell it. I don’t need to; I’m not in it for the money”.
The next race in the championship—the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach—is scheduled for April 13, where Newgarden will aim to solidify his form ahead of the iconic Indianapolis 500.