Josef Newgarden and Pato O’Ward, two of the most lauded names in IndyCar racing, are eyeing a venture into NASCAR, inspired by the dual-race ambitions of Kyle Larson.
During his impressive career, Newgarden has always considered a crossover into NASCAR. The Nashville Superspeedway, a 1.33-mile D-shaped oval that re-entered the racing scene in 2021 with NASCAR’s Ally 400, played a significant role in reigniting his NASCAR dreams.
The influence of Larson’s goal in participating in dual-race events amplified Newgarden’s ambitions. He explained, as quoted by Tennessean:
“When you watch Kyle come over, everybody’s excited about it.
Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 He Gets Us Toyota, and Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Leidos Toyota, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 08, 2024 in Hampton, Georgia. Two IndyCar drivers eye a spot in NASCAR.
Logan Riely/Getty Images
“We [IndyCar] would want more of it. And I’ve got to imagine on the NASCAR side, they invite it, too, because it just brings interest and positivity to both sides of the sport. And it lifts motorsports as a whole.”
In 2022, Newgarden tested his mettle at the Camping World Superstars of Racing Experience at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Despite a series of collisions affecting his final standing, Newgarden won the first heat of the 75-lap race, racing against notable competitors like Bobby Labonte, Marco Andretti, and Helio Castroneves.
Larson’s enduring dream to race in the Indianapolis 500, which he accomplished with an 18th-place finish, provides a blueprint for Newgarden. Reflecting on Larson’s experience, Newgarden noted:
“That’s the race Kyle’s dreamed of running his whole life. A lot of people didn’t know that. They would’ve assumed it was something different. For him to get that opportunity, you could tell that was his dream to be there.
“He was just taking it all in. It’s a very special event. There’s nothing like it on race day in motorsports and I think he saw that, too, and really understood the magnitude of it and that’s why he’s coming back.”
Adding to the wave of inspiration is Pato O’Ward, whose focus lies on participating in the first-ever NASCAR race in Mexico City planned for 2025. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, O’Ward expressed deep enthusiasm for the event, viewing it as an important career milestone. Yet, a scheduling clash with an IndyCar race on June 15, 2025, presents a hurdle. Nevertheless, O’Ward remains hopeful for a 2026 participation if the schedules align more favorably.
NASCAR Cup Series: Playoffs Standings
- Joey Logano: +0
- Ryan Blaney: +45
- Christopher Bell: +40
- Tyler Reddick: +33
- William Byron: +33
- Alex Bowman: +27
- Austin Cindric: +27
- Chase Elliott: +24
- Daniel Suárez: +22
- Kyle Larson: +15
- Denny Hamlin: +2
- Ty Gibbs: +1
On The Bubble:
13. Brad Keselowski: -1
14. Harrison Burton: -16
15. Martin Truex Jr.: -19
16. Chase Briscoe: -21
