Josef Newgarden’s Indy 500 ends in heartbreak as Penske has surprising challenge

Crew Penske star Josef Newgarden retired from the 2025 Indy 500 with over 1 / 4 of the race to go because the #2 Chevrolet suffered a gasoline system challenge. Newgarden got here into the 109th operating of the Indianapolis 500 with the goal of changing into the primary driver to attain the three-peat, however the race resulted in heartbreak for him.

Newgarden and the #2 Crew Penske appeared nice coming into the 2025 Indy 500, with the IndyCar showcasing nice tempo. Nonetheless, the staff suffered a setback on qualifying day when Newgarden and Will Energy have been first withdrawn from Prime 12 qualifying because the staff did not observe the technical guidelines, and have been then penalized and despatched to the again of the grid.

Josef Newgarden began the race on the final row in P32 alongside Will Energy and was capable of keep away from the Lap 1 mayhem. The #2 Crew Penske driver slowly however certainly made his method up the grid and was operating with the lead group in P6 earlier than the retirement.

With 67 laps to go, the leaders made their penultimate pitstop, and Newgarden got here into the pits with Alex Palou. Nonetheless, because the #2 Chevrolet exited the pit lane, Newgarden was knowledgeable of a difficulty with the gasoline stress and pitted the very subsequent lap.

The 2-time Indy 500 winner sat contained in the automobile for a very long time because the staff tried to resolve the problem, however after failing to take action, he retired the automobile. The dream for the three-peat was over because the efforts of the 34-year-old went in useless.

Josef Newgarden was 25 positions up on his beginning spot when he retired from the race, and was within the hunt for the win.

Josef Newgarden displays on the frustration of the 2025 Indy 500

Josef Newgarden and Crew Penske, regardless of the setback from Indy 500 qualifying, knew that they had a terrific automobile beneath, able to profitable the race. The race tempo urged the identical, but it surely wasn’t meant to be. Newgarden spoke with FOX after retiring from the Indy 500 as he detailed his disappointment and stated:

“It is powerful to not have a shot right here on the finish, felt actually good, was making an attempt to be methodical as we speak. It is a staff sport, it takes every little thing to win right here. Nonetheless immensely grateful to run at Indianapolis as we speak.”

“I like the race probably the most, love the chance to be on the grid. In order powerful it’s as it’s to take, I nonetheless really feel grateful to have been out right here as we speak. I simply want we had an opportunity to struggle for it. We did not even get to see what we had there.”

Chevrolet got here out and confirmed that it was a gasoline pump challenge with Josef Newgarden’s #2 Crew Penske which compelled the retirement.