Josef Newgarden has reflected on a missed opportunity to take victory at the Synk 275 after losing out to Pato O’Ward in Race 1.
Despite taking Team Penske’s best result of the year at the Synk 275 in Iowa, Josef Newgarden was left feeling disappointed with second place.
Leading from the start, he controlled the pace and race through multiple cautions. However, issues at his last pit stop saw him surrender the lead to Pato O’Ward.
Despite his best efforts, he failed to pass the Arrow McLaren, narrowly missing out on victory in Saturday’s race.
Speaking in the post race press conference, Josef Newgarden spoke highly of his car and team after a tough 2025 season.
“It was okay. Our car was really good. Team did an amazing job. Been good all weekend. Really proud of the Astemo car we put out there. Team Chevy did amazing. It was great to see them get a result. They’ve really deserved one all year. Yeah, that’s that.”
Asked if the double podium for Team Penske, with team-mate Will Power in third, was a morale booster for the team, Newgarden said: “I think it was just a clean day for the most part. We’ve just struggled to have clean days; one thing has happened or another, and today was mostly pretty okay.”
He also praised Chevrolet for their first victory of 2025, believing the manufacturer earned the win rather than stopping underperforming.
“I don’t think they finally showed strength; I think they just finally got a result is what I would say for Chevrolet.”
Josef Newgarden walks through battling Pato O’Ward at the Synk 275
Asked about his Titanic battle with Pato O’Ward in the closing stages, Josef Newgarden said there was nothing he could do to pass the Arrow McLaren.
“No. I mean, he pushed me up in 3 in the restart when I had a good run. You’re going for the win, so I almost — I can’t fault him. But with this package I was flat out. Couldn’t do anything different. He got position, and that was that.”
“Yeah, if we were just a little quicker, then we do. It takes one little bobble.”
The Team Penske driver reaffirmed that once he lost position in the pits, his chances of victory were effectively over.
Rueing the lost opportunities, he aims to put right the victory that got away in Sunday’s race, starting fourth.
“We just needed to maintain position. That was going to be the key.”
“Yeah, I was just kind of managing risk today. A day like today going, I wish I would have done a little bit more. But we’ve got tomorrow, so we’ll see what we can bring.
