Josef Newgarden: Comprehensive Review of the 2023 Indy 500 Winner and Race

Josef Newgarden won the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2023, driving the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Chevrolet for Team Penske. After 12 years of competition at the Brickyard, Newgarden secured his first victory by overtaking Marcus Ericsson in a dramatic, controversial one-lap shootout.

The Culmination of a Decade-Long Quest

For Josef Newgarden, the 2023 Indianapolis 500 was far more than just another race on the IndyCar calendar. Entering the month of May in 2023, Newgarden was widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, having already secured two NTT IndyCar Series championships (2017 and 2019). However, the Borg-Warner Trophy—the ultimate prize in American open-wheel racing—had eluded him through 11 previous attempts. This professional "missing piece" created a narrative of immense pressure, particularly as Newgarden drove for Roger Penske, the man who owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the team with the most wins in the race's history.

The journey to the 2023 winner’s circle was characterized by Newgarden’s evolution from a fast but sometimes aggressive newcomer to a calculated, methodical veteran. In his early years with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing and later Ed Carpenter Racing, Newgarden showed flashes of brilliance at the Speedway but often lacked the ultimate reliability or strategic support to finish the job. Even after joining Team Penske in 2017, the 500-mile race proved difficult to master. By 2023, the narrative had reached a boiling point; the question was no longer whether Newgarden had the speed, but whether he would ever have the luck and late-race execution required to win at 16th and Georgetown.

When the checkered flag finally waved in 2023, the release of emotion was unprecedented. Newgarden didn't just celebrate in the traditional winner’s circle; he famously slipped through a gap in the catch fence to celebrate among the fans in the grandstands. This act, now cemented in Indy 500 lore, symbolized the relief of a driver who had finally conquered the greatest challenge in his sport. Looking back from 2026, this victory remains the defining moment of Newgarden's career, transforming him from a great driver into an Indianapolis legend.

Race Day Dynamics and Strategic Execution

The 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held under nearly perfect weather conditions, which contributed to an incredibly fast and competitive pace. The 2023 race was not just a battle of driver skill, but a high-stakes chess match involving fuel mapping, tire degradation management, and aerodynamic adjustments. The Chevrolet aero kits and engines showed significant strength throughout the month, particularly in their ability to deliver raw power on the long straights of the 2.5-mile oval.

Strategy played a pivotal role in positioning Newgarden for the win. Throughout the first 150 laps, the race was remarkably clean, with long green-flag runs that forced teams to focus on "fuel save" modes. Newgarden and his strategist, Tim Cindric, focused on staying within the top five without leading excessively early on. Leading the Indy 500 is often a disadvantage due to the increased fuel consumption caused by punching a hole in the air for the cars behind. By tucking into the draft of leaders like Alex Palou, Pato O'Ward, and Marcus Ericsson, Newgarden preserved his fuel and tires for the final 50-mile sprint.

The technical setup of the No. 2 car was optimized for "dirty air" performance. As the afternoon progressed and the track temperature rose, many drivers struggled with understeer (pushing) when following other cars closely. Team Penske’s engineering staff had dialed in a mechanical grip package that allowed Newgarden to stay close to the gearbox of the car ahead through Turns 3 and 4, which is the most critical section for setting up a pass on the front stretch. This technical advantage would prove decisive in the closing moments of the race.

The Chaotic Final Laps and Red Flag Controversy

The 2023 Indy 500 is perhaps most remembered for its chaotic conclusion, involving three red flags in the final 15 laps. These stoppages were triggered by a series of high-intensity accidents as the field became increasingly desperate for track position. The first major incident involved Felix Rosenqvist and Kyle Kirkwood, the latter of whom saw a wheel fly over the catch fence—a harrowing moment that fortunately resulted in no injuries to spectators.

The controversy peaked following the third red flag, which occurred with only a few laps remaining. Race Control, led by Kyle Novak, made the unprecedented decision to call for a "one-lap shootout." Typically, an IndyCar race requires a full warm-up lap behind the pace car to get tires and engines up to operating temperature. However, to ensure the race ended under green-flag conditions rather than behind a pace car, officials brought the field directly from the pit lane to a green-white-checkered scenario.

Marcus Ericsson, the defending 2022 winner, was the leader during this final restart. Ericsson was vocal in his criticism of the decision, arguing that it departed from established safety and procedural norms. From a technical standpoint, the lead car was at a massive disadvantage. Without a warm-up lap, the leader had to "time" the acceleration perfectly while the car behind—Newgarden—could utilize the massive slipstream effect on the backstretch. This set the stage for one of the most thrilling, if debated, finishes in the history of the event.

The "Dragon Move": Technical Mastery on the Final Lap

As the green flag flew for the final lap, Newgarden was tucked tightly behind Ericsson. The physics of the IndyCar universal aero kit (UAK18) make the "tow" or draft exceptionally powerful. Newgarden timed his move perfectly, utilizing the extra RPMs and reduced drag to slingshot past Ericsson on the backstretch. However, the pass was only half the battle; he then had to defend the position through Turns 3 and 4 and down the long front stretch.

To prevent Ericsson from retaking the lead, Newgarden employed the "Dragon Move." This maneuver involves weaving aggressively across the track—specifically dipping below the white line near the pit entry—to break the aerodynamic "tow" for the following car. By constantly changing the air's path, Newgarden made it impossible for Ericsson to get a clean run or find a stable pocket of air to facilitate a counter-pass.

The "Dragon Move" is a high-risk tactic. If a driver moves too late or too erratically, they risk a penalty or a catastrophic collision at 220 mph. Newgarden’s execution was precise, staying just within the bounds of the rules while effectively neutralizing Ericsson’s chance to recover. This defensive masterclass ensured that Newgarden crossed the Yard of Bricks with a narrow but secure margin, ending the race with a margin of victory of just 0.0974 seconds.

Comparative Data: 2023 Indy 500 Results and Key Stats

The following table outlines the top finishers of the 107th Indianapolis 500 and provides a snapshot of the competitive landscape during that record-breaking day.

Team Penske’s Historical Context and Influence

Newgarden’s win in 2023 extended Team Penske’s record to 19 Indianapolis 500 victories. For Roger Penske, this specific win was significant because it was the first time "The Captain" won the race as the owner of both the team and the venue. The preparation level at Penske is legendary in motorsports, often referred to as the "Penske Way." This involves an obsessive focus on detail, from the cleanliness of the garage floors to the thousandths of an inch in aerodynamic tolerances.

In 2023, Team Penske had struggled somewhat in qualifying, with Newgarden starting 17th on the grid. Winning the Indy 500 from the middle of the pack is a daunting task that requires a near-flawless performance from the pit crew. During each of Newgarden's five pit stops, his crew consistently gained him time or maintained his position against rivals. The consistency of the No. 2 crew allowed Newgarden to slowly march forward, eventually putting him in a position to strike when the race reached its climax.

Furthermore, the 2023 win validated the team's shift in focus toward race-day trim over qualifying speed. While the Arrow McLaren and Chip Ganassi Racing cars often looked faster in single-lap bursts, the Penske Chevrolets were built to handle the evolving track conditions as the afternoon sun moved and the asphalt temperature fluctuated. This long-run stability is a hallmark of Penske's engineering philosophy.

The Significance of the Victory for Newgarden’s Legacy

The 2023 victory immediately moved Josef Newgarden into an elite tier of racing drivers. Before this win, he was an accomplished champion; after it, he became a household name in the sporting world. The financial rewards were also record-breaking, with Newgarden taking home a winner's purse of $3.666 million from a total record prize pool of over $17 million.

Beyond the money and the trophy, the win served as a psychological breakthrough. Newgarden had long been vocal about his desire to win this specific race, sometimes to the point of visible frustration in previous years. By conquering the Speedway in such a dramatic fashion, he proved he could handle the most high-pressure situations the sport has to offer. In the years following 2023, Newgarden’s confidence only grew, further solidifying his role as the face of the IndyCar Series.

The 2023 race also reinforced the importance of the Indianapolis 500 to the global motorsport ecosystem. With over 300,000 fans in attendance, it was one of the largest sporting gatherings since the pre-pandemic era, signaling a robust era for IndyCar. Newgarden's win, characterized by grit, controversy, and tactical brilliance, provided the perfect highlight reel for a sport that continues to grow in popularity as of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2023 Indy 500?

Josef Newgarden won the 2023 Indy 500. He drove for Team Penske and secured the victory by passing Marcus Ericsson on the final lap of the race. This was Newgarden's first win in the event and the 19th for Team Penske.

Why was the end of the 2023 Indy 500 controversial?

The controversy stemmed from a late-race red flag that led to a "one-lap shootout." Race officials decided to restart the race immediately after the cars left the pits, without the traditional warm-up lap. This left the leader, Marcus Ericsson, vulnerable to being passed by Newgarden, as the leader had no opportunity to build tire temperature or defend against the draft.

What is the "Dragon Move" used by Newgarden?

The "Dragon Move" is a defensive driving technique where the lead driver weaves across the track to break the slipstream (tow) for the car behind. Newgarden used this on the final lap of the 2023 race, specifically driving toward the pit-in lane and back to the racing line, to ensure Marcus Ericsson could not use the aerodynamic draft to retake the lead.

How much money did the 2023 Indy 500 winner receive?

Josef Newgarden earned $3.666 million for his victory. This was part of a record-setting total purse of $17,021,500. The payout for the winner of the Indianapolis 500 varies based on lap prizes, sponsorships, and finishing position bonuses.

What tradition did Josef Newgarden follow after winning?

Newgarden followed the long-standing tradition of drinking milk in the winner's circle; he famously chose whole milk. Additionally, he broke from tradition by entering the grandstands to celebrate directly with the fans before heading to the official podium.

Final Recommendation for Fans and Historians

For those looking to study the nuances of modern oval racing, the 2023 Indianapolis 500 serves as a masterclass in restart management and defensive aerodynamics. To truly appreciate Newgarden's victory, it is recommended to watch the final 20 laps in their entirety, paying close attention to the positioning of the No. 2 car during the multiple red-flag restarts. Furthermore, fans should visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to see Newgarden’s likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy, which stands as a permanent testament to his achievement in the 107th running of the greatest spectacle in racing.