Pennzoil Goes Under the Helmet with Josef Newgarden

As one of the most dominant drivers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Josef Newgarden has proven time and again that he has what it takes to win at the highest level. The two-time defending Indianapolis 500 champion and Team Penske driver is setting his sights on an even bigger goal—securing a historic three-peat at the Indy 500. With Pennzoil Racing Oil in his engine, Newgarden trusts his car to perform under the most demanding conditions, and he’s ready to push the limits once again. The racing oil is formulated for competition using the same technology that goes into making Pennzoil Platinum^® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ full synthetic motor oils.

Pennzoil sat down with Josef to discuss his preparation, the role Pennzoil plays in his success, and his passion for motorsports.

Pennzoil: The Indianapolis 500 is as much about mental strength as physical endurance. What does your preparation—both on and off the track—look like in the lead-up to this legendary race?

Josef: My preparation has definitely changed over my career. In the past, my on-track success was pretty much my only priority. In the last couple of seasons, I’ve changed my approach, and while that focus is still there, my preparation has shifted a bit, which I think has helped my performance on and off track. The level of both mental and physical preparation in such a high-pressure environment is remarkable, but it’s one I’ve been training for much of my life. This looks a bit different from driver to driver, but I’ve always taken a holistic athletic approach to my physical preparation—I want to be as well-rounded and as fit as possible. Hyrox has been a recent addition that’s been helping me push myself physically and mentally, which I think will translate into my preparation to step into the car.

Pennzoil: Can you share how the dynamic at Team Penske contributes to your confidence and focus heading into the Indianapolis 500?

Josef: Team Penske is an organization where winning isn’t just the goal; it’s almost the expectation. This culture of excellence permeates through the whole organization from top to bottom—from Roger to my engineers, to our mechanics, to my teammates. Being surrounded by so many like-minded and driven people gives me the confidence that every hand or mind that has anything to do with this program has put its absolute best into preparing this car to perform at its best. I know I need to step in and make the most of what my team has assembled for me, which I know will be one of the best products in the paddock.

Pennzoil: From your perspective as a driver, how does the performance of Pennzoil Racing Oil give you the confidence to help your engine perform on the track, especially during a race as grueling as the Indianapolis 500?

Josef: The fact that the same technology and engineers that put together the product that protects my INDYCAR engine are also preparing the motor oil that anyone can go and put in their engine is wild. Knowing the time, effort, and resources that have gone into the research and development of Pennzoil Racing Oil makes me feel confident that these cars will go the distance at the highest level of performance and reliability.

Pennzoil: As Pennzoil continues to celebrate its Long May We Drive campaign, what does this theme mean to you?

Josef: I think the beauty of Long May We Drive is that it can mean something so different from person to person, motorist to motorist. I think Long May We Drive, in my professional sense, gives me the confidence as a racing driver pushing my engine to its limit that the protection coming from Pennzoil will ensure I get every drop of performance out of it. From a personal standpoint, I love the freedom Long May We Drive offers—thinking about taking my family across the country to experience it in the most visceral way and knowing we won’t have to worry about it.

Indy Experience & Legacy

Pennzoil: Winning back-to-back Indianapolis 500 titles is a monumental achievement. Looking back, what were the biggest lessons from your previous victories that you plan to carry into this year’s race?

Josef: It took me 12 attempts before I won my first Indianapolis 500. You get to a point where you think it may never happen for you. I think when I finally got myself to be okay with that in some ways and still be able to focus on my everyday performance and our championship runs, our month of May started to come together. Some of those biggest lessons were around how we can continue to be the most consistent performers throughout the season and how we can piece together a complete month, and when we were able to dial those in, success found us.

Pennzoil: If you could go back in time and meet a legendary Indianapolis 500 driver, who would it be, and what would you ask them?

Josef: I think I’m quite lucky—one of my heroes is Rick Mears, and we’re very fortunate to have him around our garage as an advisor. The guts it takes to be an INDYCAR driver in that era is something else, and to hear the stories and to understand the man behind the driver is special. I’ll continue to pick his brain on how to be that mentally tough.

Pennzoil: What inspired your love for motorsports, and can you take us back to the first time you dreamed of competing in this iconic race?

Josef: I got the motorsports bug from my father, a local short-track racer around Nashville. But he was a fan of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis 500 in particular. So, from an early age, my goal was to race in the Indianapolis 500. We logged many miles driving back and forth to New Castle, IN, to race karts, preparing for the day when all the hard work would come to fruition. I’m very proud of how things turned out.

Pennzoil: Fans are always curious about what happens when you're not on the track. What hobbies or interests help you unwind and recharge during the season?

Josef: Spending time with my family is certainly my priority off-track. I’ve recently picked up photography and have been loving using my Leica while my family and I travel around. Fitness is another big part of my life, and the Hyrox competitions have been my latest favorite to keep me race fit but also help me focus my competition off-track.

Pennzoil: As you look beyond the Indianapolis 500, what are your broader goals for your career in motorsports this season and beyond, and how do you hope to leave your mark on the sport?

Josef: My main goal is to leave this sport better than I found it and continue to do my part to push INDYCAR back to the top of North American motorsports, where it belongs. We are sitting at an unbelievable time in our sport with the new broadcast partnership with FOX to showcase the best racing on the planet. I feel like I have plenty of runway left in my career while driving for the best team in the world, so I think the wins will take care of themselves, but I want to be a good steward of this amazing sport.

With a relentless drive for success and a deep appreciation for the sport, Josef Newgarden continues to push boundaries—both on and off the track. As he prepares to chase a historic Indianapolis 500 three-peat, one thing is certain: Long May We Drive.

Stay connected with Josef Newgarden and his journey by following him on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Don’t miss the latest updates on Pennzoil’s unwavering support of motorsports excellence by following along on Facebook, X, and Instagram.