Reigning NTT IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden has expressed just how important an Indy 500 win would be to him, rather than a third NTT IndyCar Series title.
In eight attempts at the Indianapolis 500, Newgarden’s best result so far is a third place in 2016 while driving for Ed Carpenter Racing.
While 2019 saw Newgarden claim his second IndyCar title in three years, his Penske team-mates Simon Pagenaud and Will Power have both won the world-famous event for the past two seasons.
When asked what would be important in 2020 at IndyCar’s media day, Newgarden quipped: “The 500. No doubt.
“Everyone knows it’s the hardest thing to win. I’ve come to peace with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway though. I just think that place does not owe you anything.
“I don’t think it cares how many races you’ve won – doesn’t care how fast you are in that month of May – doesn’t care how many championships you have.
“It just doesn’t owe you anything.
“I’ve gotten to the point where I’m comfortable with the fact that I may never win it.”
Newgarden also acknowledged an Indy 500 win is anything but straightforward, but did elaborate that there are steps he’s employing to help get the elusive win.
“You just gotta work on your process, and if you have a good process then – for me it’s showing up making a good racecar that goes all the way to the end.
“Fighting to stay up at the front group. Get to lap 170. Put yourself in position. Then have the final shootout. That’s really what that place turns into.”
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