Mid-Ohio: Early Race Chaos for Josef Newgarden
Josef Newgarden’s bid for victory at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio ended moments after the start when he experienced a catastrophic spin entering Turn 1. The two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion’s No. 2 Chevrolet locked its rear tires, resulting in contact with Graham Rahal’s Honda before crashing into the wall and coming to rest in the gravel trap.
“I had just a massive rear lockup and spun unexpectedly, or I got touched,” Newgarden said. “It’s tough to not be out there, especially with a fast PPG car.”
Both Newgarden and Rahal lost a lap during the mishap while waiting for recovery. Further complicating matters for Team Penske, Will Power collided with teammates Scott McLaughlin and Devlin DeFrancesco shortly thereafter, causing a pit stop for DeFrancesco due to a broken wing and pushing both Penske cars further back.
The early race chaos reflects a troubling season for Newgarden and Team Penske. With no victories in the 2025 season and Newgarden sitting 17th in points, the team’s struggles have become evident. Their drivers collectively qualified in positions 18th or worse, leading to a disappointing race start.
“Just go to the next one,” Newgarden concluded, emphasizing the need to focus on upcoming events as the team looks to rebound.
