Josef Newgarden Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes of IndyCar in "100 Days to Indy"

quotI thought it was great that we were going to produce a documentary series in realtime about the personalities within our sportquot he continued quotBecause I know it so well I thought it was something captivating and interesting I was all on board for them trying to put this together and showcase to the world what IndyCar isquotWe have some very interesting characters with totally different lives and ways they approach their professionquot he added quotThatamp8217s the interesting bit I think for the good of our sport and interest in our sport itamp8217s necessary It was one of those deals where as long as they were going to be respectful and knew where the line was I39m okay with it The other thing I love about this is that they haven39t manipulated anything The first episode shows everything as is which was critical for me If you have an interesting product then you shouldn39t have to manipulate itquotWith a large part of the series focusing on the personal worlds of its drivers outside of the track Newgarden knew what he was in for However that component of the series was an adjustment quotThat part is quite difficultquot he shared quotI39m very much an introvert and it39s not in my natural tendency to be as open as the show wants to be In my mind it39s a necessary evil but it39s going to be good to showcase the lives of the people within our sport It39s much more compelling and interesting when you see the behindthescenes of what our lives are actually likequotAn endearing element of the series is its exploration of the camaraderie between the teammates who although intensely competitive limit most of their rivalry to the track quotWith most sports you have intense rivalriesquot he explained quotYou have people that compete and never speak or maybe it39s very contentious but racing is a little different particularly within your own team There are three drivers at Team Penske and we have to work together as one team but while competing my teammate is also my competition It39s a very conflicting relationship when you look at interteam dynamicsquotBeyond that thereamp8217s a lot of respect amongst the drivers because it39s such an inherently risky sportquot he added quotYou do feel a responsibility to your fellow drivers to do the right thing by them We speak about the dangers of the sport that are always potentially there and I feel a sense of responsibility protecting them while protecting myself It39s very competitive but there39s a different layer of respect in our sport than maybe anotherquotThat level of risk is also highlighted with mechanical issues often proving just as devastating as a pileup on the track quotMechanical things are pretty soulcrushingquot Newgarden explained quotIt39s the buildup the amount of time we put into the week planning and prepping for that race day so it39s a whole crescendo that comes crashing down when something breaks But it also humanizes the sport outside of just the driver A lot of people believe racing is a singular sport when it39s really a team It39s not just down to me doing the greatest job and being the best driver on the day we have to be the best as a teamquotThe level of camaraderie is echoed by the spouses and partners of the drivers who throughout the series do express their concerns for loved ones Newgarden and his wife Ashley are new parents and as a result of that perspectives do change quotThings on track haven39t changedquot he said quotWe have these jokes that once you have a kid you just slow down and the more kids you have the slower you go I39ve not found that to be true But it does change your perspective Having a son now the things I39d be very intense about that probably didn39t matter I now just let go I39m almost less stressed just because it39s given me perspective on what really matters in life so that aspect has been very nice personallyquotAs for his son following in his footsteps Newgarden said he will cross that finish line when the time comes quotI struggle with thatquot he admitted quotWe want to expose him to everything and let him decide what he likes I don39t want him racing just because I was so if he loves it and wants to race I39ll support himquotWith the Indianapolis 500 happening on May 28 Newgarden assures viewers it will feature in the series quotWe start with the preseasonquot he said in closing quotThey39re shooting this in realtime so you39ll see the Indianapolis 500 basically at the end of Mayquot100 Days to Indy will be telecast Thursdays at 9 pm on The CWClick the social buttons to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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Josef Newgarden Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes of IndyCar in "100 Days to Indy"

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Josef Newgarden Takes Viewers Behind the Scenes of IndyCar in "100 Days to Indy"

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