0
The 2019 NTT IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden says his second championship title in the series feels more special than his first in 2017.
Newgarden crossed the line in eighth place on Sunday at Laguna Seca, which was enough to secure the championship as teammate Simon Pagenaud's late charge failed to see him take the win that he needed for championship success.
With his family and friends in attendance at the weekend, Newgarden says he is not sure why he became emotional when he returned to the pit lane at the end of the 90-lap race.
"I don't know why, but it feels more special," said the 28-year-old. "It really hit me. It just really, really hit me on the in-lap. I don't know why. I was just so emotional. I didn't quite get that way in the first one. I don't know if you don't have quite the respect for it.
"You just have more perspective on how difficult it is to be. You can win a race every week. When you're in a season, those opportunities come every single week, but to win a championship, that doesn't come every week.
"That opportunity seldom is there and if it is there, you really want to capitalize on it because you never know if you're going to get that again. I think you really realize that the more years you do this."
Despite missing out on his second IndyCar championship title, Pagenaud affirmed that he was happy for his Team Penske teammate Newgardem.
"I tried as hard as I could all weekend," stated the Frenchman. "You saw me drive with my heart. I won Indianapolis this year. There's nothing to be disappointed about.
"We finished second. That's the second time we're second in the championship. We won the championship in 2016. I think the numbers talk for themselves. Do I want to win the championship?
"Of course. But I'm just equally happy for Josef and the whole team, to wrap up the Indy 500 and the championship in one year is just absolutely incredible. I had a blast. I had a blast today."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (0)
Login to reply