At Watkins Glen International for the INDYCAR Grand Prix at the Glen, Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 21 Fuzzy’s Chevrolet, had a redeeming weekend.
The start of the weekend for the return of IndyCar at the Glen was less than thrilling for the Hendersonville, Tennessee native as he wrecked in Turn 7 during practice on Saturday.
“Yeah, I mean, I think the weekend in general was tougher than we would have liked,” he said. “We didn’t start – we were pretty decent in the first day on Friday and then had a little bobble on day two in the morning. Into Turn 7 we had a little wreck, and tired to just have a smooth qualifying yesterday, which I think we did.”
The Ed Carpenter Racing driver ended up qualifying for the race in the 12th position, which had him starting in the middle of the pack.
During the start of the race Newgarden ended up towards the back of the racing pack. Throughout the race between pit strategy and gaining track position he would be able to work his way up and when the checkered flags flew at the end he would cross in second position, giving him a podium finish for the weekend.
“I think we got shuffled back really early, had to go wide in Turn 1 after there were some spinners,” he said. “But once we got off strategy we passed a lot of cars. Able to make the fuel thanks to Chevy, and then I think we just had a great Fuzzy’s Vodka car today, and that’s ultimately what made the difference for us to secure second.”