Josef Newgarden flourished upon his move to the ‘big time’ in IndyCar last year. Many have come and gone befo🌜re, struggling to go from plucky midfielder punching above his weight to champion material, but Newgarden nailed it at the first attempt as he secured his maiden IndyCar crown.

The🌌 pressure will now be on Newgarden to not only defend the title, but rea෴lly seize a position at the top of the series and establish himself as one of IndyCar’s finest, a la Scott Dixon or Will Power.

There’s no reason to doubt that he is capable of doing so. How he adjusts to the new-style Indy ca🐲rs with the universal aerokit will be interesting, as well as status as the reigning champion with a target on his back. But if his easing into life with Penske is anything to go by, IndyCar’s new golden boy should be in fine stead indeed.