Newgarden ends difficult season with victory in Nashville

Josef Newgarden ended a 20-race winless streak by winning the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway this Sunday. The two-time champion, who is from the Nashville area, drove his #2 Chevrolet to a half-second victory over Alex Palou, who had already secured his third consecutive championship in the NTT IndyCar Series.

The 225-lap race recorded 20 lead changes among 12 different drivers, both records for Nashville Superspeedway. The 284 total passes, including 130 for position inside the top 10, also set new track records.

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O'Ward leads 116 laps from pole but retires with punctured tire

Pato O'Ward had achieved his first oval pole position on Saturday and led more laps than any other competitor with 116 from his #5 Arrow McLaren. O'Ward was seeking his first victory starting from the pole position, a feat he had never accomplished in his nine previous IndyCar wins.

His plans were thwarted on lap 127 when a punctured right front tire sent him into the SAFER barrier in turn 2, ending his race while he was comfortably in the lead.

"I've never won a race from pole," O'Ward had said on Saturday. "It's on my to-do list for this weekend."

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McLaughlin in control until lap 205 when he hits the barriers

Scott McLaughlin dominated the race until lap 205, when his #3 Penske slid off the racing line and grazed the SAFER barrier in turn 2. This incident allowed Newgarden to take the definitive lead and triggered the fourth and final caution period.

On the lap 214 restart, Newgarden pulled away while Palou took advantage to pass McLaughlin for second place in the first corner. McLaughlin managed to hold onto third position until the checkered flag, giving Team Penske its second double podium of the season.

Foster secures Rookie of the Year title by two points

Louis Foster of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing secured the Rookie of the Year title by just two points over Robert Shwartzman of PREMA Racing. Foster finished 20th in his #45 Honda, while Shwartzman was 14th, which was not enough to catch the British driver in the final rookie standings.

David Malukas retired on lap 83 after a heavy impact with the barriers following side contact with Foster. Malukas was evaluated at a local hospital as a precaution and released later.

Palou completes dominant season with 711 points

Alex Palou crossed the line second in his #10 Honda to complete a season that earned him 711 points, 196 more than O'Ward in second place in the championship. Palou admitted he lacked the confidence to use the high lines where Newgarden and others made their best passes.

"It's been an incredible season for us," said Palou. "I just had the pleasure of being the driver of that #10 Honda, getting so many wins and so many podiums this year."

Conor Daly completed the top five after advancing 19 positions from his starting 24th place, more than any other driver in the race.

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Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix Results 

Nashville Superspeedway - August 31, 2025
Distance: 1.33 miles - 225 laps