INDIANAPOLIS — As Roger Penske investigated the cheating incident that cost Josef Newgarden his IndyCar season-opening victory, job security at Team Penske was not a concern for Newgarden.
With much more pressing matters to attend to, Newgarden was focused on helping his boss understand how he illegally used extra boosts of horsepower to secure the March opening race win.
Penske, on his part, expressed support for the 33-year-old driver from Tennessee, working on a contract extension for Newgarden beyond his eighth season with the organization.
Securing a new deal could be guaranteed by winning the Indianapolis 500, a feat that Newgarden accomplished on Sunday after a four-hour rain delay. His last-minute pass of Pato O’Ward two corners from the finish line marked Penske’s record-extending 20th Indy 500 victory and made Newgarden the first back-to-back winner since Helio Castroneves did it for Penske in 2001-02.
