Josef Newgarden says that he has cried out all of his emotion after the Team Penske driver in the No.2 Shell powering Progress Chevrolt came from 17th on the grid to win his first Indianapolis 500 race.
Speaking following a chaotic Indianapolis 500, an emotional Newgarden said:
I’m so I thankful! I’ve cried out the emotions. I had a ton of emotion there for a little bit. I’m just thankful to the team that we finally got this done. You know, I was trying to put it off that you know it’s not going to define a career winning a race here. But everyone seems to want to make it a defining moment, and for me, you know, it’s impossible but I look at it that way and then I’m elated to finally get it to work out. This is way more than me. This is the entire team. They built an amazing car. Tim (Cindric) calling an amazing strategy. [Roger Penske] for sticking with us and having the faith. I can’t speak enough about the team effort because that’s what it takes. I’ve been wanting to win here and go in the crowd for so long. I’ve been waiting to do that–I’ve always wanted to go in the crowd here to Indy. There’s nothing like it. I’m just so thankful to be here to have a shot to run this race. It’s I will never forget this from my from my life.”
Newgarden went on to say:
Everyone just kept asking me why I haven’t won this race. “They looked at you like you’re a failure if you don’t win it. I wanted to win it so bad. I knew we could. I knew we were capable. It’s a huge team effort, as everybody knows. I’m so glad to be here.”
The victory has moved the Tennessee native up to fourth in the championship on 182 points and he said:
“I was just trying to stay locked in. “I was emotional the last 10 laps because I knew we were in a position to fight for this win at the end. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew it was going to come to some last-lap shootout like it always is these days, which is exciting but stressful for us.”
VP for Performance and Motorsports with Chevrolet Jim Campbell said:
What an exciting pass by Josef Newgarden and an incredible finish to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. We all will be talking about Josef’s last-lap move, sprint to the finish line and post-race celebration for a long time. Josef drove a solid race all afternoon and he put himself in position for that well-timed and memorable move. This is a great win for a popular driver and champion. Congratulations to Josef and the No. 2 Shell Team Penske Chevrolet for his first Indianapolis 500 win, and congratulations to Roger Penske on his 19th.”
“Thanks to all of the hard work by our Chevrolet engineers along with our technical partners at Ilmor on delivering an engine package that delivered the right combination of power, durability and efficiency.”