Team Penske Iowa race recap takes center stage after Josef Newgarden, driving the #2 Team Penske chevrolet/”>Chevrolet, expressed frustration following costly mistakes that denied him a win during the recent Iowa double-header. Despite a strong performance throughout both events in Iowa, Newgarden ended up tenth and second in his races, citing critical pit stop timing and team errors at the heart of his disappointment.
Newgarden’s Challenging Weekend at Iowa
Josef Newgarden competed in the Farm to Finish 275 powered by Sukup, starting from fourth place and leading a notable 72 laps, but ultimately finishing tenth. The American driver later used social media to share his perspective, outlining a sequence of events where repeated pit stops during yellow flag periods sent him from the front of the field to the back more than once, curbing his bid for victory. In his own words,
Race recap: Went to the front of the field. Pit. Yellow. *go to the back of the field.Restart.Went to the front of the field. Pit. Yellow. *go to the back of the field. Ended up p10 on a day where it feels like it should have been a win. It’s not from lack of effort or speed. All 3 @Team_Penske cars have had such great pace, we just need one thing to go right for us. If the saying is that “after droughts come rain… “, we’ll be prepared for a storm. 📷 @ignitemedia00
This summary encapsulated the frustration of Newgarden and his Team Penske colleagues. His ability to charge to the front repeatedly highlighted the speed of the car, but untimely caution periods repeatedly hampered their efforts.
Strong Performances but Near Misses
The Iowa weekend wasn’t devoid of hope for Newgarden or Team Penske. In the Synk 275 powered by Sukup held on July 12, Newgarden started on pole and managed a second-place finish, showcasing both skill and the strength of his Chevrolet-powered machine. In total, he led a remarkable 232 laps out of 275, making his control of the race undeniable until the final stage.
Late in the Synk 275 race, Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward gained the upper hand with a faster final pit stop, overtaking Newgarden and ultimately finishing just 0.2352 seconds ahead. While Newgarden had his sights on victory, small differences in execution were decisive. Speaking to Jack Harvey from IndyCar in a post-race interview, Newgarden said,
“I don’t know what changes tomorrow. You know O’Ward got track position there, and it was game over, just as simple as that. My car was quick; Team Chevy did a great job. Finally getting a win for team Chevy is a big deal.” (0:06 onwards) —Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Driver
Despite the disappointment, both Pato O’Ward and Team Penske’s Will Power joined Newgarden on the season’s first all-Chevrolet podium, validating the pace and capability of the manufacturer.
Newgarden’s Standings and Outlook for the Season
The 34-year-old Nashville native and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner has a storied history at Iowa, previously securing victories in eight out of nine events at the track. As the 2025 season continues, Newgarden now sits fourteenth in the standings with 207 points. His strong results so far—including a third-place finish at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg—demonstrate consistency, but the elusive Iowa win has amplified the team’s determination for future rounds.
The events in Iowa have increased pressure within Team Penske to convert speed and potential into a race victory. With Newgarden’s frustrations laid bare, eyes are on how the team will regroup and respond as the season progresses, hoping that with renewed focus and refined execution, a turnaround is on the horizon.
