Josef Newgarden pens down thumping message ahead of 2025 season ‘regardless of the forecast’

IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden shared a post on his Instagram on December 31, 2024, and reflected on his 2024 year. The Team Penske driver shared the highlights of his year, including pictures of his triumphs on track and the emotional moments. He shared ten pictures and penned a message for the upcoming season in the caption.

The first picture was of Newgarden in the iconic Shell Penske race suit with his helmet and gloves, possibly taken during the recent race service photoshoot. Next was a picture of podium celebrations at the IMSA 24 hours of Daytona as Newgarden won the race with Porsche Penske Motorsport in the GTP category.

The third slide was the 34-year-old’s picture with Team Penske and IndyCar's owner Roger Penske. The next few pictures were of Newgarden from the Indy 500 weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as he won the greatest spectacle in racing for the second year in a row. The pictures highlig;:hted the emotional weekend for the American as he posted him celebrating with the team members.

The eighth picture was a bird’s eye view of Newgarden celebrating the Indy 500 win with his wife Ashley and son Kota. The caption read:

“2024, you were a wild ride, but we made it through the storm! I'm really excited for 2025, regardless of the forecast. I took that last part from a fortune cookie”

Josef Newgarden's wife Ashley also shared a story on her Instagram on December 31, 2024, as she revealed her 2024 highlight. She shared @newgarden2crew’s reel on her story where her son Kota kissed the bricks of the Indy 500 with Ashley and Josef. The caption read:

“One of my highlights too”

The Indy 500 victory was as crucial one for Ashley as it was for the Penske driver, as Newgarden had shared how his winless Indy 500 streak affected not only him but also his wife.

Josef Newgarden is hopeful of winning the Indy 500 during the 2025 IndyCar season

Josef Newgarden had gone winless at the Indy 500 for over a decade before winning it in 2023 and repeating the feat in 2024, becoming the first driver to win it back-to-back since 2002. The Penske driver spoke about the possibility of going for a third win in a row (three-peat) at the Indy 500 in early December 2024.

AUTO: DEC 04 INDY 500 Winner Josef Newgarden Borg Warner Trophy Ceremony - Source: Getty

Josef Newgarden said, via IndyCar:

“I’m not shy to talk about (the possibility) because there is a chance to win it three years in a row. Talking about it isn’t going to change (anything) in what we do – we’re there to win. We know the process we have to go (through). I think Helio (Castroneves) said it perfectly: If it’s meant to be it’s meant to be, and I think that’s how it is.

“I haven’t told anybody, but we’ve already been (planning) stuff for next year – potentially. We’re not (hiding from) the fact we do have an opportunity to win it again next year. I know the probability is extremely low; winning it twice (in succession) is a low probability,” he added

Newgarden is a two-time IndyCar champion, winning the titles in 2017 and 2019 with Team Penske. The 2024 season was however a rough one for him as he finished 8th in the Championship.