In Indianapolis earlier this week, Josef Newgarden celebrated a second consecutive victory in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge by getting his first look at his second likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy.
“I like the hair a little better (on this one),” he said.
Hairstyle aside, Newgarden acknowledged he's as interested in looking forward as behind, and he made it clear he believes he can become the first three-peat winner of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
“I’m not shy to talk about (the possibility) because there is a chance to win it three years in a row,” he said of the iconic oval race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that will be held Sunday, May 25 on FOX. “Talking about it isn’t going to change (anything) in what we do – we’re there to win.
“We know the process we have to go (through). I think Helio (Castroneves) said it perfectly: If it’s meant to be it’s meant to be, and I think that’s how it is.”
Castroneves is one of five previous drivers to have won two in succession but not three. The Brazilian had his bid in 2003 after winning each of the two prior years. The other drivers to have won twice in a row were Wilbur Shaw (1939-1940), Mauri Rose (1947-1948), Bill Vukovich (1953-1954) and Al Unser (1970-71).
Castroneves came the closest to executing an unprecedented three-peat, leading 58 laps in the 2003 race before Gil de Ferran got the better of him in traffic with 31 laps to go. Castroneves settled for second place.
Unser also finished second after winning twice in a row, but he never led a lap in the 1972 race. Shaw put together a string of finishes that nearly earned him four wins in succession, winning in 1937, 1939 and 1940 but finishing second in 1938. Shaw ended the 1941 race in the 13th position. Vukovich’s chance to win three in a row ended with a fatal accident in the 1955 race.
Not only is Newgarden unafraid of jinxing himself by discussing the possibility of an unprecedented feat, he admitted this week to even having made preliminary plans on how to react to it. His confidence stems from the fact he still drives for Team Penske, which has won the “500” a record 20 times. No other team has won more than six.
Additionally, Newgarden has won 10 of the past 18 oval races in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and Team Penske teammates Scott McLaughlin and Will Power have combined to win three of the races Newgarden didn't win. Add it up: The Tennessean and the Roger Penske-owned three-car organization have what it takes to win such races, especially the “500.”
“I haven’t told anybody,” Newgarden said, smiling, “but we’ve already been (planning) stuff for next year – potentially. We’re not (hiding from) the fact we do have an opportunity to win it again next year. I know the probability is extremely low; winning it twice (in succession) is a low probability.”
Newgarden even gave playful encouragement this week to BorgWarner, which for years has offered a bonus to any driver who can win the "500" in successive years. As no driver had pulled it off since Castroneves in 2002, the rollover bonus that Newgarden received was $440,000 as part of a record-setting winner's prize of $4.288 million. Next year, the prize reverts back to $20,000.
Ironically, Castroneves, whose two-peat bonus was $160,000, is one of the drivers who will try to deny Newgarden the spoils. Castroneves, who drives for Meyer Shank Racing, has his own history on the line in trying to become the race's first five-time champion.
Said Newgarden: “I don’t want to sound unappreciative of the $20,000, but can we make a three-peat challenge? If we can do something significant that would be really cool. We can insurance it; insurance companies love this stuff. We’ll talk about it later, off-line.”
See, Newgarden is not backing down from the challenge. Why?
“Because I think there’s a great chance to do it,” he said.