Josef Newgarden’s attempt to become the first driver to win three consecutive Indianapolis 500s fell short. The 34-year-old Tennessean finishes 25th after starting from the last row on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. He suffered a fuel pressure issue after a Lap 133 pit stop.
“Tried to be methodical,” Newgarden told the Fox broadcast. “I just wish we had a chance to fight for it.” He had steadily improved his race position after starting 32nd: 10th at Lap 80 and 6th at Lap 130. Newgarden held back as the green flag flew, careful to avoid any issues with cars ahead. He worked his into the upper half of the field by Lap 50. His car failed inspection during second-day qualifying, and IndyCar star sent him – after qualifying for the Fast 12 the previous day – to the back row, along with Team Penske teammate Will Power.Has anyone won the Indianapolis 500 three straight years? Five others previously sought a three-peat, with results ranging from tantalizingly close to tragic. Here’s how those drivers fared.Helio Castroneves (2001-02) No one had a better opportunity to win three straight Indy 500s. Castroneves won his rookie and second seasons at IMS, then qualified for the pole in 2003.
Just one thing stood in his way: Penske teammate Gil de Ferran, who won by 0.22 seconds over runner-up Castroneves. Castroneves is seeking a record fifth Indy 500 win in 2025. He shares the all-time victories lead with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears.Al Unser (1970-71) Unser started the 1972 race 19th and crossed the finish line in 3rd place, though Mark Donahue dominated the field, winning by more than 3 minutes. The morning after the race, officials penalized the runner-up, Jerry Grant, for taking on fuel late in the wrong from the wrong pit stall. That moved Unser up to 2nd.Bill Vukovich (1953-54) Vukovich started the 1955 from the 5th position and led 50 of the first 56 laps before being killed in a Lap 57 crash involving five drivers.Mauri Rose (1947-48) Rose was not a factor in 1949, starting 10th and finishing 13th.Wilbur Shaw (1939-40) The three-time race champ crashed in 1941 while leading on Lap 152, suffering a back injury and getting drenched in fuel from his ruptured gas tank.
The Speedway didn’t host any races from 1942-45 because of World War II, and Shaw never raced there again. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2025 Indy 500 results: Josef Newgarden finishes 25th in Indianapolis 500
