Questions are mounting over Josef Newgarden’s Team Penske IndyCar future after a series of difficult setbacks in the 2025 season and speculation from within the paddock. The two-time Indy 500 winner faces an uncertain road with Team Penske, as his current contract is set to expire after the 2026 season.
Challenging Season Casts Doubt on Newgarden’s Tenure
Will Buxton, a prominent IndyCar commentator, recently indicated there is little confidence in Newgarden remaining with Team Penske beyond 2026. Newgarden, who joined the Roger Penske-led team in 2017, experienced perhaps his toughest season yet in 2025. Although he started strong with a podium finish at St. Pete, his campaign quickly unraveled, resulting in five DNFs across 17 races—an unprecedented outcome in his Penske career.
Several misfortunes set the tone for his season. At the historic Indianapolis 500, a fuel pump issue shattered a promising comeback. Later, while leading at Gateway, he was caught up in an incident involving a lapped car driven by Louis Foster. These setbacks clearly wore on Newgarden, who, as losses piled up, reduced his media presence and fueled retirement rumors within the IndyCar paddock.
“Josef, we know, contract ends at the end of the year (2026). Is he still at Penske in 2027? From everybody I have spoken to in the paddock, it feels unlikely.”
– Will Buxton, IndyCar commentator
Despite adversity, Newgarden rallied late in the season, capturing a victory in the Nashville finale—his hometown—offering a bright spot in an otherwise difficult year. Yet, unlike his teammates Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, who also struggled but fared somewhat better, Newgarden’s future with Team Penske remains very much in question.
Team Penske’s Driver Lineup and Future Plans
The current driver landscape at Team Penske hints at significant change after 2026. While Newgarden’s contract expires at the end of that year, Team Penske has moved to secure other talent for the future. Scott McLaughlin, who joined from Supercars and quickly became a championship contender, is locked in through 2027 thanks to a multi-year deal signed ahead of 2025.
David Malukas, another promising young driver, will step in for Will Power starting in 2026, also on a multi-year agreement. These moves point to Team Penske’s willingness to reshape its roster and perhaps take more risks on developing talent over established veterans.
Shifting Priorities: Who Might Replace Newgarden?
Josef Newgarden has been central to Penske’s recent IndyCar achievements. Nearly all of his 32 wins—including two Indy 500 victories—were achieved with Team Penske, and he brought the team championships in 2017 and 2019. Logically, replacing a driver of such stature would require someone with experience and a proven track record.
However, Team Penske has demonstrated flexibility in recent years. The tradition of signing only established race winners shifted in 2019, when Roger Penske brought in Scott McLaughlin, a star from Supercars but a newcomer to IndyCar. The gamble paid off, with McLaughlin becoming a consistent title challenger. Most recently, Penske signed David Malukas, who, while winless, arrives with youth and potential to reshape the team’s future direction.
This willingness to take calculated risks could shape the search for Newgarden’s successor. One internal possibility is Myles Rowe, currently racing in Indy NXT—a feeder series—with HMD Motorsports. Rowe recently celebrated his first Indy NXT victory and is part of the Team Penske talent pool. Should the team seek to build for the long term, Rowe could be a contender for Newgarden’s seat in 2027.
Externally, Rinus Veekay, a Dutch driver, showed interest in joining Team Penske for 2026. While he ultimately signed with Juncos Hollinger Racing, he publicly acknowledged making inquiries about replacing Will Power at Penske, although no deal materialized.
What This Means for the Team Penske IndyCar Future
The uncertainty surrounding Josef Newgarden—paired with Team Penske’s willingness to evolve their approach to driver selection—signals a pivotal moment for the team’s IndyCar future. As veterans like Will Power transition out and younger talents like Malukas and potentially Rowe emerge, the dynamic at Team Penske could shift dramatically by 2027. With Newgarden’s contract expiration approaching and no clear extension in sight, speculation will likely intensify until a formal decision is announced.
This transitional period could redefine what it means to be part of Team Penske, opening the door to rising stars while ending an era defined by experience and established success. The choices made in the coming seasons will shape both the team and the IndyCar grid for years to come.
