Josef Newgarden – Victory is Sweet!

Brands Hatch, England (October 19, 2008) – Today was a big roller coaster of emotions for me. I can’t describe how proud and honored I feel to be representing this year’s Team USA Scholarship program and the Cliff Dempsey Racing team. The entire week has gone according to plan and everything just seemed to fall into place. As everyone in the racing circle knows, money, luck and chemistry make up the recipe for success; I certainly feel I had that recipe this week.

Without the creation and support of the Team USA Scholarship, I would not have had this incredible opportunity. I truly want to thank Jeremy Shaw for all of his efforts and all of the scholarship’s supporters for what they have done for me. I would never in my wildest dreams have imagined winning the Formula Ford Festival, especially on my first attempt. The chemistry between Conor, myself and Cliff Dempsey’s team has definitely contributed to the success I have had this week. The emotions of winning this event are off the charts.

Today’s racing began with a pre-final for which I started fourth. I had a much better start than in yesterday’s heat by doing a better job at warming up my tires. I made up one position off the line going into Paddock Hill and another on the exit of Druid’s hairpin. The next lap I was able to maneuver by Peter Barrable for the lead into the last corner, known as Clearways. After that I put my head down and started knocking off strong consistent lap times all the way up to the checkered flag.

Setting the fastest lap for both heats put me on pole for the final, giving me the best chance at staying out of trouble on the start. I made sure to do plenty of burnouts and had another stellar start. I led the first six laps until the caution flags came out. I knew I had to be on the ball once the Safety Car’s lights were off so that I could get a gap on the field. I did just an OK job at that and just managed to hold off the pack into Paddock. As we got deeper into the laps, I came under increasing pressure from the train of cars behind me. About halfway into the race, I made a slight bobble into Paddock Hill and Patrick McKenna was able to slip his nose inside of me and take the position. At this point I was just focusing on crowding his mirrors and waiting for any opportunity to make a move. I look twice into Kidney and finally was able to complete my pass into Clearways. In the next couple of laps I was able to break the draft and finally get some breathing room.

This was the point were I became the most nervous. I focused on doing the same thing I did in the semi-final by putting my head down and just running fast consistent laps. This went on for the last eight laps of the race and finished with a rush of relief at the checkered flag. I was so happy to finally finish the race, and the week for that matter, and actually take the victory. I was so happy for the Team USA Scholarship program and Cliff Dempsey Racing, and the thought of having my name stand in the record books with guys like Mark Webber and Jenson Button was overwhelming.

At the end of the day all the team’s gathered in the Kentagon for the award festivities. Brian Jones, who is the commentator for Brands Hatch, was the life of the crowd and interviewed all of the drivers after they received their awards. The team then migrated back to our hotel and settled in at the bar for celebratory drinks – until two in the morning. All I can say is that the Irish have an unbelievable ability to drink! The entire team was trying to get me to drink as well but I refused every time; that’s just not my thing.

Conor and I will be in action again in a couple of weeks at the Walter Hayes Trophy event at Silverstone where over 150 Formula Fords will gather to race for all of its glory. I can hardly wait!