Rookie Newgarden in search of first IZOD IndyCar top-10 finish

NEWTON - To Josef Newgarden, it isn't where you start, but where you finish.

In his upstart IZOD IndyCar Series career, the 21-year-old rookie would prefer his finishes reflected his starts more.

Newgarden earned his fourth top-10 start Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway this weekend. He entered the race looking to place in the top-10 for the first time.

"We've had very strong showings as far as speed during weekends, but we have no results to stand on, so far," Newgarden said. "That's what we're working to change.

"We don't have one result that reflects the work and time we're putting in the program and all of our efforts."

Newgarden always envisioned being an open-wheel driver. It might be a surprise, considering Newgarden is from Henderson, Tenn., a place stereotypically ruled by NASCAR. He had an affection for open-wheel racing since watching his first race when he was about four years old."

Newgarden said there is no explanation why he gravitated to open-wheel style instead of stock cars.

"I just like open-wheel racing," Newgarden said. "There are other people who like open-wheel racing in Nashville. Maybe that is not as well known.

"There's definitely predominantly more NASCAR-oriented racing there, but there are plenty of open-wheel fans as well that love that type of racing and I'm one of those guys."

Newgarden has parlayed that passion into a budding race career so far. He started when racing at 13, winning numerous races and national titles. Newgarden climbed the ranks, earning a ride with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.

“Everyone at SFHR is ecstatic about competing in the entire 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season with Josef behind the wheel and with Honda engines,” team co-owner Sarah Fisher said in a news release before the season.

The short history at Iowa Speedway has been favorable to Newgarden. Last year, he won the Firestone Indy Lights Series Sukup 100 here en route to claiming the season championship.

"I love Iowa," said Newgarden, calling it his second favorite oval behind Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "It's a place I look forward to driving at.

"It's a really unique short oval. I just enjoy the characteristics of it."

The IZOD IndyCar Series rookie, who is 23rd in overall points, was strong for most of Friday. He recorded the second-fastest lap time during the first practice session, trailing only Marco Andretti. A blip came in the second practice where he didn't improve his speed and dropped to 12th. Newgarden was runner-up in the first of three 30-lap qualifying heat races to qualify 12th. He bumped into 10th after Graham Rahal and Tony Kanaan received 10-spot starting grid penalties for engine changes.

"It was definitely not horrible," Newgarden said. "It wasn't what we were looking for. We felt pretty confident coming into this event."

The transition to the elite level has been a learning experience. Race weekends are more demanding, including longer races and off-the-track commitments with engineering, and media.

Newgarden debuted with an 11th-place showing at Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Fla.) on March 25. Newgarden 15th at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and 13th in the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway earlier in June. Cracking the top-10 would be an acceptable achievement, but would be scratching the surface of the team's potential, according to Newgarden.

"It would be good for the team to get a top-10," Newgarden said. "Hopefully, we can do better than that, because I know we're capable. To be honest, I don't think a top-10 would be enough for us. It would be great as far as points ... we need to get a podium or a top-five then we'll be more satisfied."