Josef Newgarden won the INDYCAR Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway with a late charge on fresher tires.
Newgarden secured his 33rd career victory and second at Phoenix, last winning there in 2018.
Christian Rasmussen led the most laps but finished 14th after being overtaken by cars with newer tires late in the race.
The race marked INDYCAR's return to Phoenix after a hiatus since 2018, part of the Desert Double weekend.
📖 Full Retelling
The last time INDYCAR competed at Phoenix Raceway, Josef Newgarden finished on top. Turns out, not much has changed since 2018, as the Team Penske driver took the checkered flag Saturday in the first race of the Desert Double, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday. Here's a brief recap of INDYCAR's return to Phoenix for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday on FOX. The Winner Is… Josef Newgarden won Saturday's INDYCAR race at Phoenix Raceway, thanks to some standout racing and fresher tires than the drivers in front of him in the final laps. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet entered the weekend with a fast car, qualifying second behind teammate David Malukas. This was the 33rd career victory for two-time INDYCAR champ, who now has two career wins at Phoenix after winning the 2018 race — the last time INDYCAR raced at the one-mile desert track. "We took tires [with 38 laps left], and that thing was like a rocket ship when it needed to be," Newgarden told the FOX broadcast after his victory. Newgarden led for only eight laps, but he was out front when it mattered most. How The Race Was Won Christian Rasmussen looked like he just had to play strong defense with his dominant No. 21 ECR Chevrolet on Saturday to win. Despite issues with the car that he and his team struggled to diagnose during the race, Rasmussen had the lead with 10 of the 250 total laps remaining. But Rasmussen — who led a race-high of 69 laps — was being chased down by cars with newer tires, including Newgarden, and it caught up to him. First, Kyle Kirkwood took the lead from Rasmussen with about nine laps to go, but Newgarden was making moves behind them. With eight laps left, Newgarden was running second after passing Rasmussen, and with fewer than seven, the Team Penske driver made a pass for the lead and never relinquished it. Rasmussen told the FOX broadcast afterward that he thought his car was "the class of the field today, best car out there" but he ultimately finished 14th. He also put blame
Josef Nicolai Newgarden (born December 22, 1990) is an American racing driver who races the No. 2 Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet in the IndyCar Series. He was the 2011 Indy Lights champion, and 2017 and 2019 IndyCar Series Champion.
This news matters because it marks INDYCAR's return to Phoenix Raceway after a six-year hiatus, showcasing the series' ongoing efforts to expand its schedule and engage fans in key markets. It affects INDYCAR teams and drivers by setting an early-season competitive tone, with Josef Newgarden's win boosting his championship prospects and Team Penske's momentum. For motorsports enthusiasts, the event highlights strategic tire management and late-race drama, reinforcing INDYCAR's appeal as a dynamic racing series.
Context & Background
INDYCAR last raced at Phoenix Raceway in 2018, with Josef Newgarden also winning that event, making this a return after a six-year absence.
Josef Newgarden is a two-time INDYCAR champion (2017, 2019) and a veteran driver for Team Penske, one of the most successful teams in the sport's history.
Phoenix Raceway is a one-mile oval track in Arizona, known for its unique challenges and historical significance in American open-wheel racing.
The Desert Double weekend features both INDYCAR and NASCAR Cup Series races, aiming to attract broader motorsports audiences and boost local economic impact.
What Happens Next
Next, INDYCAR will continue its season with upcoming races, potentially including ovals, road courses, and street circuits, as teams adjust strategies based on early performance. The series may evaluate Phoenix's success to decide on future returns, while drivers like Christian Rasmussen will work to address car issues for improved results. Fans can expect increased focus on tire management and pit stop tactics in subsequent events, especially with championship points now in play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Josef Newgarden win despite leading only eight laps?
Newgarden won by using a late-race pit strategy for fresher tires, which gave his car superior speed in the final laps, allowing him to overtake leaders like Christian Rasmussen and Kyle Kirkwood when it mattered most.
What happened to Christian Rasmussen after leading most of the race?
Rasmussen struggled with undiagnosed car issues and older tires toward the end, causing him to lose positions to drivers with newer tires and finish 14th, despite having what he called the 'best car' earlier.
How does this win impact the INDYCAR championship standings?
This win gives Josef Newgarden an early points advantage in the season, boosting his position for the championship and demonstrating Team Penske's competitive strength, which could influence team morale and future strategies.
Will INDYCAR return to Phoenix Raceway in the future?
Based on this successful return after six years, INDYCAR may consider Phoenix for future schedules if fan engagement and race quality remain high, though official decisions depend on series logistics and track agreements.
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- No Data Available - BROWSE BY SPORTS & TEAMS PLAYERS SHOWS PERSONALITIES TOPICS Built on NTT INDYCAR SERIES NTT INDYCAR SERIES INDYCAR at Phoenix Results: Josef Newgarden's Late Charge Powered Him to Win Updated Mar. 7, 2026 6:07 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link The last time INDYCAR competed at Phoenix Raceway, Josef Newgarden finished on top. Turns out, not much has changed since 2018, as the Team Penske driver took the checkered flag Saturday in the first race of the Desert Double, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday. Here's a brief recap of INDYCAR's return to Phoenix for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday on FOX. The Winner Is… Josef Newgarden won Saturday's INDYCAR race at Phoenix Raceway, thanks to some standout racing and fresher tires than the drivers in front of him in the final laps. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet entered the weekend with a fast car, qualifying second behind teammate David Malukas . This was the 33rd career victory for two-time INDYCAR champ, who now has two career wins at Phoenix after winning the 2018 race — the last time INDYCAR raced at the one-mile desert track. "We took tires [with 38 laps left], and that thing was like a rocket ship when it needed to be," Newgarden told the FOX broadcast after his victory. Newgarden led for only eight laps, but he was out front when it mattered most. How The Race Was Won Christian Rasmussen looked like he just had to play strong defense with his dominant No. 21 ECR Chevrolet on Saturday to win. Despite issues with the car that he and his team struggled to diagnose during the race, Rasmussen had the lead with 10 of the 250 total laps remaining. But Rasmussen — who led a race-high of 69 laps — was being chased down by cars with newer tires, including Newgarden, and it caught up to him. First, Kyle Kirkwood took the lead from Rasmussen with about nine laps to go, but Newgarden was making moves behind them. With eight laps left, Newgarden was running second after passing Rasmussen, and ...
