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Josef Newgarden Ready to Regain Momentum at WWTR
Highlights
- Kyle Kirkwood won last year’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500
- Josef Newgarden aims to regain form after Indy 500 injury
- Newgarden has four wins and 27% laps led at WWTR
- Pato O’Ward finished second four times at WWTR, no win
- Race weekend starts Saturday, race airs Sunday at 9 p.m.
- Will Power and Scott McLaughlin excel in WWTR qualifying
Kyle Kirkwood won last year’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway, but attention shifts to Josef Newgarden this weekend.
The Team Penske driver returns to his strongest venue seeking a reset after a difficult month following Indianapolis.
Newgarden continues to recover from a left foot injury sustained in a crash during the Indianapolis 500. He finished tenth in Detroit while using a boot and crutch, and admitted Felipe Nasr was on standby. WWTR’s demands should prove kinder.
The record remains emphatic. Newgarden owns four WWTR victories, starting in 2017, followed by a 2020–22 streak, then another in 2024. Pato O’Ward twice followed him home during that run.
Since 2017 he has led 650 of 2,394 laps here, over 27 percent. He has led at least 48 laps in seven of ten races. Two recent crashes at WWTR underline risk he must manage.
Newgarden has led more than 27% of all WWTR laps since 2017, the defining metric of his dominance.
O’Ward again profiles as the primary threat, with four second‑place finishes but no win at WWTR. David Malukas, a 2022 breakout here and third in 2023, remains a plausible first‑time winner.
Pato O’Ward holds four WWTR runner‑up finishes but still seeks his first victory at the track.
Further contenders include Christian Rasmussen, increasingly effective on short ovals, and Scott Dixon, a two‑time WWTR winner. Will Power and Scott McLaughlin often supply Penske’s grid leverage.
Will Power owns five WWTR poles, with Scott McLaughlin on two, giving Penske frequent track‑position control.
Race complexion typically hinges on track position and undercut windows. Penske’s qualifying strength narrows rivals’ options, forcing O’Ward and Dixon toward cleaner stops and flexible tire offsets.
Newgarden’s priorities are operational: protect the left foot, sustain long‑run pace, and avoid attrition. A strong result would steady momentum and influence the championship standings.
The weekend opens Saturday with practice and qualifying on FS1 and FS2. The race airs Sunday at 9 p.m. on FOX networks and INDYCAR Radio.
Visual Summary
27%
laps led
laps led
Newgarden’s Foot Back to the Floor
The King of WWTR Returns
Josef Newgarden aims to reclaim his dominance on the 1.25-mile oval after injury setbacks.
Rivals: O’Ward, Malukas, Rasmussen, Dixon, Power, McLaughlin
Josef Newgarden aims to reclaim his dominance on the 1.25-mile oval after injury setbacks.
Rivals: O’Ward, Malukas, Rasmussen, Dixon, Power, McLaughlin
5
WWTR Wins
(since 2017)
WWTR Wins
(since 2017)
650
Laps Led
of 2,394 at WWTR
Laps Led
of 2,394 at WWTR
Back After Injury
Left Foot Healing
Ready for the Oval
Left Foot Healing
Ready for the Oval
WWTR
Saturday: Practice & Qualify
Sunday: Race 9pm ET (FOX)
Saturday: Practice & Qualify
Sunday: Race 9pm ET (FOX)
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
