Josef Newgarden in the No.2 PPG Hitachi Chevrolet says he had a lot of fun as he dominated the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding. The Tennessee native started the race from the pole position and led 92 of the 100-lap race speaking following the action he commented:
“I had a lot of fun today. “I think it’s so deserving for the work they (Team Penske) put in. We’ve worked really hard to close the gap. We didn’t have the speed we needed on road and street courses last year, at least on a consistency basis, and today we brought that speed. We had the execution, as always.”
Newgarden went on to say:
“I feel very relaxed right now. “I was really excited initially, and then it kind of calmed down those last 10 laps. We can move on from here and at least enjoy this first victory.”
Newgarden came home 7.9121s ahead of Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.