Josef Newgarden Called up by Andretti Autosport for Indy Lights Test In Phoenix

Last Thursday morning while packing for a trip to Melk, Austria to compete in a three-day shootout to advance to the inaugural FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy, Josef Newgarden received a call from J-F Thormann, EVP and COO of Andretti Autosport. Thormann invited Newgarden to Indianapolis for a seat fitting the next day at the Andretti Autosport shop in preparation for important Firestone Indy Lights pre-season testing at Phoenix International Raceway this week. Thrilled to get the call to test with Andretti, Newgarden was regretful at having to forego the opportunity to compete with 18 other top young international race drivers for one of 10 spots in the FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy.

"While my ultimate goal remains to compete in the Formula One World Championship, in recent days it has become clear that the best opportunity I would have to further my career with a championship-caliber team this season would be in the Firestone Indy Lights series with Andretti Autosport," said Josef "and while it was a very difficult decision to miss the FIA Young Driver Excellence Academy shootout, J-F and the rest of the Andretti team really wanted me in the car for the Phoenix test. Since I only have a limited amount of time in an Indy Lights car every testing mile will be precious if we hope to contend for the championship this year," continued Newgarden. "I extend my sincere thanks to Nick Craw and everyone at the FIA who was involved in my nomination to participate in such a prestigious competition and I wish all of the competitors the best of luck, particularly my fellow American, Alexander Rossi," Josef added.

Newgarden and his marketing team continue to work diligently alongside Andretti Autosport to secure the balance of funding for their 2011 Firestone Indy Lights series campaign. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Brian Bonner for sponsorship details. Call 978-361-5295 or email bonner@theb4agency.com.

About Josef Newgarden – www.raceroftomorrow.com

Josef Newgarden is a 20 year old American racing driver who was born and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He drove a kart for the first time at the age of thirteen in 2003 and in 2006 he took titles in two classes of the Kart Racers of America – the Junior Yamaha Championship and the TAG World Championship. The same year he started his single-seater career in the Skip Barber Racing School series, where he finished as runner-up in the Southern Regional Series with three wins and another seven podiums. In 2008, he was the first American to win the prestigious BRSCC Formula Ford Festival (Kent class) in the 36-year history of the event. He moved to the British Formula Ford Championship in 2009 and was runner-up with nine wins and also won 2 out of 3 races contested in the Formula Palmer Audi Series. In 2010, Newgarden moved into the GP3 Series where he scored five top-tens, three front row starts and one pole position in sixteen rookie season races.