Fuel pump ends Newgarden's quest for three-in-a-row

Josef Newgarden’s amazing drive from the last row to being in contention to win his third Indianapolis 500 in a row was lost with a slow drive down pit lane where the No. 2 Team Penske Chevy was retired on the 135th lap.

The 2023 and 2024 race winner was one of the great stories on Sunday with a steady march forward from 32nd on the grid, but a failed fuel pump, according to a Team Chevy PR rep, was the cause of Newgarden’s premature exit from the great race.

“It's tough to not have a shot here at the end,” Newgarden said. “Felt really good. Was trying to take it methodical today, and you know, it's a team sport. It takes everything to win here. Still immensely grateful to run in Indianapolis. I love this race the most, love the opportunity to be on the grid. As tough as it is to take, I still feel thankful to be out here today. I just wish we had a chance to fight for it. You know, we didn't even get to see what we had there. We're just slowly moving forward. Everybody puts so much into this. It's a big team effort. Such a shame.”