Newgarden “didn’t rehearse” emotional IndyCar press conference
Reigning Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden addressed the press at Barber Motorsports Park for the first time following his disqualification from the St. Petersburg race due to a push-to-pass rule violation alongside his Team Penske team-mate Scott McLaughlin. Team President Tim Cindric attributed the mishap to an illegal code, while Newgarden explained his misunderstanding, believing he could use the overtake button similarly to an exhibition race at Thermal Club. Despite facing questions about his integrity, Newgarden chose honesty during the emotional press conference, stating repeatedly that he wanted to tell “the truth” about the incident. When asked about regaining the trust of his competitors, Newgarden acknowledged the challenge, emphasizing that actions would speak louder than words, and expressing a commitment to earning back respect over time. Additionally, he recognized the gravity of the situation in relation to Team Penske’s standards, acknowledging the error and extending an apology for any offense caused.
