IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Watch: Fuel pressure issues end Josef Newgarden's quest for Indy 500 three-peat

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated May 25, 2025 3:54 PM ET

Josef Newgarden's bid for a historic three-peat in the Indianapolis 500 came to an early end on Sunday.

Newgarden, the two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner, had the chance to be the first driver in history to win three consecutive Indy 500s.

After being forced to start from the back due to a rules violation that stemmed from pole qualifying on May 18, Newgarden ran as high as ninth. Unfortunately, fuel pressure issues ended his day early, as Newgarden sat helplessly on pit road during a green-flag pit cycle before being declared out of the race.

There will be no three-peat. Josef Newgarden and the No. 2 team are done.#Indy500 on FOX pic.twitter.com/Hl8zwjLnZU
— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 25, 2025

"It's tough to not have a shot at the end," Newgarden told Fox Sports. "It's a team sport, it takes everything to win here. As tough as it is to take, I still feel grateful to have been out there today. Just wish I had a chance to fight for it."

Newgarden will finish the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 25th.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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