IndyCar – Team Penske formalizes Josef Newgarden

We mentioned it in issue 2081 of AUTOhebdo : the arrival of Josef Newgarden joins Team Penske to replace Juan Pablo Montoya in the car #2 was a serious possibility heading into 2017.

Roger Penske's team confirmed this information today by formalizing the recruitment from former Ed Carpenter Racing driver (who had recently confirmed the departure of the Tennessee native) for the next season in IndyCar Series.

The American, fourth in the last championship (with a victory to his credit in Iowa), will play alongside the reigning champion simon pagenaud, Will Power and Helio Castroneves, the master quartet of the 2016 season in the rankings.

“When you look at the top talent in the series, both in terms of driving and commercial possibilities, Josef is near the top of the list, explains Roger Penske. We are always looking to the future and when we had the opportunity to speak with Josef, we knew he would be an important addition to our program.

He is a fantastic driver on the track and it will be positive with our partners off the track. He is hungry for wins and championships and we hope to give him that opportunity. »

“For any single-seater driver – or any racing driver in general – Team Penske is a dream, confesses the new recruit for his part. Roger Penske is a motorsport legend and his team has been successful just about everywhere they have entered.

I look forward to working with all of Team Penske’s partners. Having a chance to work with Simon, Will and Helio, as well as the rest of the team, is just going to help make me a better driver. »

It now remains to be known the future of Juan Pablo Montoya. The Colombian, winner of the Indianapolis 500 last year with Penske and vice-champion behind Scott Dixon after being beaten in the Sonoma final, had signed with the American structure for his return to IndyCar in 2014.