League: NASCAR Sport: Motorsports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Josef Newgarden drives pace car at Bristol Night Race, reflects on inspiration

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 25, 2026, 7:19 PM

Last updated Sep 25, 2026

Josef Newgarden drives pace car at Bristol Night Race, reflects on inspiration

Summary

Josef Newgarden served as the pace car driver for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, 2026. The IndyCar champion, who grew up attending races at Bristol with his father, expressed his sense of "Tennessee Pride" and described the experience as magical. Newgarden, representing his home state, emphasized the unique atmosphere of Bristol, often referred to as the ‘Last Great Colosseum.’ The pace car was a 2027 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray, highlighted for its impressive performance capabilities.

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•Newgarden drove the pace car at Bristol on September 19, 2026.
•He emphasized Bristol's unique racing atmosphere.
•Newgarden shared childhood memories of attending races there.
•The pace car was a 2027 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray.
•The event showcased significant motorsport tradition in Tennessee.

Latest Updates

7:19 PMYahoo Sports — IndyCar’s Josef Newgarden Experiences ‘Tennessee Pride’ At Bristol

What they're saying

"
A look at how a visit to Bristol Motor Speedway as a young boy inspired Josef Newgarden to become a racing champion who got to return as a source of "Tennessee Pride."
— Yahoo Sports

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