Josef Newgarden targets Bristol Motor Speedway for NASCAR debut

Two-time IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden has expressed his continued desire to make a debut in the NASCAR Cup Series. While remaining focused on his open-wheel career, the Tennessee native identified Bristol Motor Speedway as his top choice for a potential professional stock car start.

Serving as the honorary pace car driver for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol, Newgarden drove a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette during pre-race preparations. He noted that while driving the pace car is an honor, it serves as a “tease” compared to competing in a professional race car at the high-banked half-mile oval.

Newgarden, who previously drove at the track through the Buck Baker Racing School as a teenager, also expressed interest in seeing more crossover weekends between IndyCar and NASCAR, similar to previous events in Phoenix and St. Petersburg. While Bristol remains his primary preference, he has also mentioned Richmond and Nashville Superspeedway as tracks of interest.