P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Newgarden’s “killer mentality” kicked in when he lost St. Pete lead
Newgarden dominated the early stages of the race from pole position, dropped to third after a pitstop mishap, but charged back to the front and ultimately won the race. He admitted to having a killer mentality during the race, determined to push to the front no matter what, despite not expecting to win initially.
Following a challenging end to his 2023 season, Newgarden has shifted his mindset for this season, focusing on eliminating the pressure to be perfect and finding joy in the process. Winning the Rolex 24 Hours with Porsche Penske Motorsport helped him feel positive and encouraged about his current form in IndyCar.
He acknowledged his tendency towards perfectionism but emphasized the importance of letting go of unrealistic expectations and striving for excellence without getting bogged down by setbacks. Newgarden now aims to enjoy each race and the journey, focusing on being the best he can be without fixating on perfection.
