Josef Newgarden captured his fourth INDYCAR Series win of the year in Team Penske’s No. 2 Hitachi Chevrolet at the Hy-VeeDeals.com 250 at Iowa Speedway.
The two-time INDYCAR Series champion’s 24th victory of this season came in the first of two weekend races (July 23) at the speedway. Newgarden took the lead from Penske teammate Will Power on lap 23 for last Saturday’s win. He is battling this year for his third INDYCAR Series title.
Newgarden is the all-time INDYCAR Series win leader at Iowa Speedway with his fourth career victory at the oval race track located near Des Moines, Iowa. His previous wins there came in 2016, 2019 and 2020.
The 31-year-old American led 208 of the 250 laps enroute to Saturday’s victory despite temperatures nearing 100 degrees.
“This was a long game day, but I was really proud of our team,” Newgarden said after the race. “Hitachi and Team Chevy really showed up for us. Iowa Speedway is one of my favorite tracks. To be able to win here again is always very special.”
On Sunday, Newgarden’s No. 2 Hitachi Chevrolet started second behind Power’s No. 12 Chevrolet but took the lead on lap 85 and went on to lead 148 laps before being knocked out of the race following a mechanical problem. Over the two-race weekend, Newgarden led a total of 356 laps.
“Josef Newgarden and Team Penske turned in another outstanding INDYCAR performance at Iowa Speedway last Saturday,” said Rob Sharpe, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Hitachi Astemo Americas. “Hitachi and Hitachi Astemo employees are among Josef Newgarden’s biggest fans. We wish him the very best and look forward to seeing him in the winner’s circle again in the very near future.”
Sharpe pointed out that Hitachi Astemo is a technology partner with Chevrolet in the development of its highly successful INDYCAR engine program. Hitachi Astemo, for example, provides fuel-system components for all of its 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged INDYCAR racing engines.
The iHhHitachi name also appears on the sides and rear wing of Team Penske’s No. 2 car and Astemo appears on both front wings.
Hitachi will be the primary sponsor of Team Penske’s No. 2 car for INDYCAR Series races at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 4 and at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, on Sept. 11.
