Josef Newgarden Honored By Tennessee With Special Day Of Recognition

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Pictured (L-R): Stuart C. McWhorter, Josef Newgarden and Mark Ezell. Photo: Nick Tavares/NTP Photography

The state of Tennessee recognized Hendersonville native Josef Newgarden for his 2023 Indianapolis 500 win by proclaiming July 31, 2023, as “Josef Newgarden Day.”

The event served as the unofficial start to race week festivities in downtown Nashville that will culminate with the NTT IndyCar Series taking to the streets this Sunday (Aug. 6).

“It is one of the highest honors of my career, being recognized by my home state for winning the Indianapolis 500,” said Newgarden, who is coming off of a double-header win at the Iowa Speedway. “I’m a proud Tennessean and had to move away for a time to chase my motorsports dreams, but I always knew I would return. Racing has gone from nearly extinct in Nashville to now being one of our bedrock forms of entertainment. I will continue to do my part to ensure racing remains part of our growing sports scene.”

Newgarden took the checkered flag in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 28 for his first Indianapolis 500 win and the 19th in the history of Team Penske. He has collected four wins this season and is currently runner-up in the NICS Championship points. The two-time NTT IndyCar Series Champion has been a fierce proponent of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (BMMCGP) and the ability of Nashville to host marquee events.

Following the BMMCGP, four races will remain on the 2023 IndyCar schedule. The season is set to conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on Sunday, Sept. 10. In addition to chasing his third series title, Newgarden will attempt to sweep all five oval races on the schedule when the series moves to World Wide Technology Raceway just outside St. Louis on Aug. 27.

He will take on the streets of Nashville on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT to continue his chase in the IndyCar points standings.

Steven Boero
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