Indianapolis, Indiana – Indianapolis International Airport became the center of excitement on March 6 as Josef Newgarden, two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner, unveiled the official ticket for the 109th running of the legendary race. The event, which coincided with Southwest Airlines’ first nonstop flight from Indianapolis to Nashville, marked a unique fusion of motorsports and travel, bringing together race fans and airline passengers for a momentous occasion.
Newgarden, who cemented his name in racing history with consecutive wins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), became just the sixth driver to achieve such a milestone. His thrilling last-lap pass in the 2023 race secured his second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” driving the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet to a stunning finish. One of the longstanding traditions at IMS is featuring the defending champion on the next year’s ticket, a practice that dates back to Mauri Rose in 1948.
At the heart of the Indianapolis International Airport’s Civic Plaza, Newgarden stood alongside INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles as he pushed a button to unveil a massive digital rendering of the 2025 Indy 500 ticket. The ticket, designed by Senior Art Director Mandy Walsh, brilliantly captures Newgarden’s back-to-back victories with vibrant, full-color images. His Victory Podium celebrations from both 2023 and 2024 are prominently featured, along with nearly identical liveries that highlight the continuity of his success.
“It’s very cool to be here in the Indianapolis International Airport,” Newgarden said. “Indiana and Tennessee are my two homes, so the fact we have the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana and the (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) championship finale in Tennessee is a great parallel. To top it all off is seeing this beautiful ticket from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500. It’s an incredible-looking ticket.
“To see my likeness on there, to see our team represented, it’s a very special feeling. You don’t know if that day will ever come when you drive into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The fact we’ve been able to pull it off twice, back to back, and that it’s been celebrated on this ticket, I’m super, super thankful.”
But the celebration didn’t end in Indianapolis. Newgarden and Boles boarded the Southwest Airlines flight to Nashville, taking the excitement to the driver’s hometown. Upon landing, they met with local media and Indianapolis 500 ticketholders, continuing the festivities with an exclusive Fan Event at Big Machine Distillery and Tavern. The event allowed fans to get up close with the newly unveiled ticket and the prestigious Borg-Warner Trophy, a symbol of Indianapolis 500 glory. Newgarden and Boles took time to interact with fans, sign autographs, and answer questions about the upcoming race.
With two consecutive Indianapolis 500 victories under his belt, Newgarden now sets his sights on an even greater challenge—becoming the first driver in history to win three straight Indy 500s. This monumental task awaits him on Sunday, May 25, as the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge takes center stage at IMS. The race will be broadcast live at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network, ensuring fans worldwide can witness the action.
For those eager to be part of the spectacle, tickets for the Indianapolis 500 and all Month of May events are currently available at IMS.com, by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700, or by visiting the ticket office in person.
With his name already etched in Indy 500 history, Josef Newgarden now stands on the edge of something truly extraordinary. If he can achieve the unprecedented three-peat, he will solidify his legacy as one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen.
