Josef Newgarden received the award for winning races on oval, mixed circuit and street after Road America, and chose to donate half the money to charity
Penske's Josef Newgarden took his third victory in eight races in the 2022 Indy season last Sunday (12) at Road America. After also winning at the Texas oval and on the streets of Long Beach, the American received a US$ 1 million prize for finishing first in each type of circuit.
The two-time Indy champion, who is still looking for more consistency to fight for his third championship this year, decided to distribute half of the money to two charities, SeriousFun Children Network, which helps sick children around the world, and Wags and Walks, which rescues abandoned dogs in Nashville, Tennessee.
"Our puppy, Axel, was adopted by Wags & Walks. They have done an amazing job. They work with really good people in Nashville. They rescue all kinds of dogs, all of them. You should hear some of these heartbreaking stories that these people go through to find homes for these dogs. We need more of that," Newgarden praised at the press conference after the Elkhart Lake GP.
"We want to help these groups as much as possible. Having a challenge like this motivates you, because you want to do something for them. I know it's just a bonus and an extra for these two groups, but I know the size of the impact, so I end up getting more competitive to make it happen," said the American.
With the victory at Road America, Newgarden is currently third in the IndyCar Series standings, 32 points behind leader Marcus Ericsson. The series returns on July 3rd for the Mid-Ohio GP, with full coverage by GRANDE PRÊMIO.