Newgarden Clinches 20th Pit Stop Challenge Victory for Penske
Josef Newgarden and the No. 2 Team Penske-Chevrolet crew triumphed in the Carb Day Pit Stop Challenge, securing Roger Penske’s 20th victory in the event. Despite both Newgarden and teammate Will Power starting the 109th Indianapolis 500 from the back row, their performance in the Pit Stop Challenge underscores their formidable pit crew capabilities.
In the all-Penske final, Newgarden’s team delivered a series of impressive performances. In the opening round of the finale, Power’s crew set a new competition record with a 10.699-second stop, only to be narrowly eclipsed by Newgarden’s 10.450-second effort. The drivers exchanged lanes for the second run, with Power’s crew edging out Newgarden by 0.2 seconds with a time of 10.500 seconds.
However, Newgarden’s fastest time in the first round secured him lane choice for the decisive third run. Choosing the right side, he executed a flawless stop in 10.263 seconds, compared to Power’s 10.503 seconds, clinching the title.
The competition began with Conor Daly’s solo run after Graham Rahal’s withdrawal due to engine failure. Daly’s crew improved from an initial overshoot to finish their run successfully. Andretti Global’s Colton Herta bested Nolan Siegel of Arrow McLaren, while Newgarden’s team dispatched Christian Rasmussen with an 11.700-second stop.
Additional notable matchups included Alex Palou defeating Rinus Veekay and Alexander Rossi edging Louis Foster before Team Penske faced off against the competition. Power’s precise execution helped him rally against Christian Lundgaard, while Pato O’Ward defeated Daly in Round 2, setting up another clash with Newgarden.
In the semifinals, Palou faced Scott Dixon but was hindered by a critical delay, allowing Dixon to advance, while Power overcame Rossi after a front-left tire issue. Newgarden’s exceptional performance in the final rounds further solidified Team Penske’s dominant presence in pit stop efficiency as they prepare for the Indianapolis 500.
