Josef Newgarden Wins Good Ranchers 250 – INDYCAR Phoenix Race Results
After a season where consistency proved elusive, Josef Newgarden has emphatically announced his presence in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship hunt. The two-time series champion secured his first victory of the season – and the 33rd of his career – at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, expertly maneuvering past Kyle Kirkwood with just seven laps remaining in the Good Ranchers 250.
Newgarden, who started from the second position, finished the 250-lap race with a decisive 1.7937-second advantage over Kirkwood, driving the No. 2 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet to victory lane. The win is particularly significant given Newgarden’s struggles in 2025, a season where he only managed a single victory in 17 races. This early-season success suggests a potential return to the dominant form that saw him claim championships in 2017 and 2019.
The race also highlighted the strength of Team Penske, celebrating its 60th anniversary season. David Malukas finished a strong third in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, giving the legendary team two drivers on the podium. This performance underscores the team’s continued commitment to excellence and its ability to consistently contend for victories.
Rounding out the top five were Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and Marcus Armstrong in the No. 66 ROOT Insurance Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian. O’Ward’s fourth-place finish demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Arrow McLaren, while Armstrong continues to impress in his second season with Meyer Shank Racing.
The race wasn’t without its drama. Christian Rasmussen, who started 18th, showcased remarkable pace and aggressive overtaking, making a remarkable 60 on-track passes. Despite briefly leading and even brushing the wall, Rasmussen ultimately finished 14th, expressing frustration with the outcome. “We were the class of the field,” Rasmussen told Fox after the race, a sentiment suggesting a missed opportunity for a potential victory.
Four-time series champion Alex Palou endured a difficult day, finishing 24th after an early collision with Rinus Veekay. The incident significantly hampered Palou’s race, preventing him from building on his season-opening win at St. Petersburg. The early crash highlights the unpredictable nature of oval racing and the importance of avoiding contact.
The race also saw Will Power experience a cut tire while battling for the lead with Rasmussen, adding another layer of complexity to the competition. Power’s struggles continued from the previous weekend, where he also faced challenges in qualifying.
Newgarden’s victory at Phoenix marks a significant moment, not only for his championship aspirations but also for his personal history at the track. It’s a return to form at a venue where he previously triumphed in 2018, demonstrating his adaptability and skill on the one-mile oval. The eight-year gap between wins underscores the cyclical nature of motorsports and the challenges of maintaining consistent success.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES now moves on to its next challenge, with teams and drivers looking to build momentum and solidify their positions in the championship standings. Newgarden’s win will undoubtedly serve as a confidence boost for Team Penske, while Kirkwood and other contenders will be eager to rebound and challenge for victories in the coming races. The early stages of the 2026 season are shaping up to be a thrilling battle for supremacy in the world of IndyCar racing.
Race Results:
- Josef Newgarden
- Kyle Kirkwood
- David Malukas
- Pato O’Ward
- Marcus Armstrong
- Alexander Rossi
- Scott Dixon
- Scott McLaughlin
- Graham Rahal
- Kyffin Simpson
- Santino Ferrucci
- Felix Rosenqvist
- Christian Lundgaard
- Christian Rasmussen
- Dennis Hauger
- Will Power
- Marcus Ericsson
- Mick Schumacher
- Caio Collet
- Nolan Siegel
- Sting Ray Robb
- Rinus Veekay
- Louis Foster
- Alex Palou
- Romain Grosjean