IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden unveils ticket for 108th Indianapolis 500
Josef Newgarden, the 2023 Indy 500 winner, was on hand Thursday to unveil the ticket for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Last May, Newgarden earned his first Indianapolis 500 victory in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progess Team Penske Chevrolet. The winning driver has been featured on the next year's Indy 500 ticket since Mauri Rose's 1948 appearance.
Newgarden dropped the cover from a billboard-sized version of the ticket, affixed to the side of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis parking garage and viewable from the parking lot of the adjacent Shell gas station.
"My initial reaction seeing the ticket is how special it is," Newgarden said. "It reminds me of right at the end of the race and the moment I was able to have with the crowd. To me, that was almost more significant than winning the race itself – was having the opportunity to celebrate with everyone who comes to the Indy 500."
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Senior Art Director Mandy Walsh designed the ticket, which features a photo of Newgarden jumping from the car on the Yard of Bricks before he climbed into through the fence and into the grandstands to celebrate with fans.
"The ‘500’ is so much bigger than just me – it’s everybody who makes it out," Newgarden said. "There are generations upon generations who have been going to that race and have made it so historic. That’s what this ticket signifies. It’s that celebration with the community and what makes the Indy 500. It’s different than what you normally see. People are used to seeing Victory Lane. This is seeing the event for what it is and the significance and honor of being able to be there."
The 108th running of the Indy 500 will take place Sunday, May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500: Josef Newgarden unveils ticket for 2024 race
