Josef Newgarden’s status with Team Penske in IndyCar appears increasingly uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract in 2026, following a turbulent 2025 season marked by frequent setbacks and speculation about his next move. Recent commentary from within the paddock raises doubts about whether Newgarden will remain with the legendary team beyond the current deal, casting new light on the Team Penske IndyCar future and potential shifts within one of the series’ most iconic squads.
Difficult Season Raises Questions Over Newgarden’s Tenure
Newgarden, a two-time Indy 500 winner and IndyCar champion, began 2025 with podium success at St. Pete, but his momentum was quickly derailed as the season unfolded. Throughout the 17-race schedule, he suffered five retirements—an unprecedented run of misfortune since joining forces with Roger Penske’s team in 2017. Mechanical issues and accidents, such as a fuel pump failure at the Indy 500 and being collected in Louis Foster’s crash at Gateway while leading, punctuated a season full of lost opportunities for Newgarden.
Midway through the season, the mounting disappointments took a visible toll, with the 34-year-old driver reportedly avoiding media engagements while rumors circulated around the paddock about a possible retirement. Although he ultimately dismissed those claims by racing through to the end of 2025, the uncertainty surrounding his willingness to continue with Team Penske has grown.
Motorsports analyst Will Buxton offered a candid perspective on the situation during an appearance on Marshall Pruett’s podcast, stating:
“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
Recent Team Dynamics and Contract Moves
While Newgarden’s campaign was marked by frustration, his Team Penske colleagues Scott McLaughlin and Will Power also experienced tough seasons, though not as severe. Despite his challenges, Newgarden managed a turnaround in the closing rounds, capturing a victory at the Nashville finale and injecting a positive note into a difficult year in his hometown.
Looking ahead to contract status within the team, Penske has recently secured McLaughlin and newcomer David Malukas with multi-year deals effective from 2026. McLaughlin’s prior success in Supercars and smooth adaptation to IndyCar, along with Malukas’ appointment to replace two-time series champion Will Power, signal a period of transition as the team prioritizes both proven experience and potential for the future.
Historic Partnership and the Need for a Successor
The partnership between Josef Newgarden and Team Penske has delivered the bulk of Newgarden’s achievements in IndyCar. He captured championship titles in 2017, right after joining, and again in 2019, along with 29 of his 32 career wins and both Indy 500 triumphs—feats that contributed to Roger Penske’s record-setting status as a team owner. Should Newgarden and Penske part ways after 2026, the team faces the challenge of replacing a highly accomplished driver and proven championship contender.
How Penske Could Approach Replacing Newgarden
Traditionally, Team Penske relied on experienced, victorious drivers, rarely deviating from a formula that prioritized race winners. However, recent years have shown a willingness to innovate. The signing of Scott McLaughlin in 2019, despite his lack of IndyCar track time but considerable Supercars success with Roger Penske’s organization, marked a significant shift. This gamble yielded rewards, with McLaughlin becoming a potential championship contender early in his tenure.
That evolution continued with the addition of David Malukas, who, despite lacking IndyCar wins, was brought in on the strength of his promise to replace Will Power. Such moves indicate a readiness to bet on emerging talents, not just seasoned veterans.
Should this trend continue, Myles Rowe represents a possible candidate. As an Indy NXT driver and current Team Penske talent, Rowe celebrated his first win in the development series with HMD Motorsports this year and is expected to accumulate further experience next season. The team’s willingness to promote young prospects could see Rowe step into a full-time IndyCar seat if Newgarden departs after 2026.
An additional name floated as a replacement is Rinus Veekay. The Dutch driver, who has signed with Juncos Hollinger Racing for 2026, reportedly inquired about joining Team Penske for Will Power’s seat, though those discussions did not progress further.
What Lies Ahead for Newgarden and Team Penske
As Josef Newgarden prepares for his final contracted season with Team Penske, the focus intensifies on both his performance and the team’s strategic direction. The future may depend not just on results but on the organization’s readiness to embrace change, whether by recruiting established race winners or by continuing to cultivate the next generation of IndyCar talent. With Will Buxton’s assessment and ongoing speculation, the Team Penske IndyCar future looks set for substantial transformation in the seasons to come, with key decisions and possible driver shifts likely to shape the competitive landscape.
