---
title: "Watch an Overzealous Fan Confront IndyCar’s Josef Newgarden on the Podium"
description: "The adoring fan commandeered Newgarden's champagne bottle and attempted to spray him with it."
date: "2018-06-24"
modified: "2018-06-24"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21733/watch-an-overzealous-fan-confront-indycars-josef-newgarden-on-the-podium"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "indycar"
  - "Indycar Series"
  - "Josef Newgarden"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
  - "Road America"
  - "team penske"
---

# Watch an Overzealous Fan Confront IndyCar’s Josef Newgarden on the Podium

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/06/16c1143-edit-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Unlike most big-name racing series out there, [IndyCar](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21695/indycar-at-road-america-schmidt-petersons-all-star-drivers-talk-synergy>) does a heck of a job at allowing the adoring fans to get close to the cars, and of course, the drivers. This is, by all means, a great way to increase brand loyalty and offer excellent value to those willing to spend their hard-earned cash on an admission ticket. However, this great front-row access to the action can sometimes cause awkward moments.

Team Penske's Josef Newgarden may have tamed his Chevrolet-powered racing machine for the 55 laps the [IndyCar Kohler Grand Prix](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21732/team-penskes-josef-newgarden-dominates-from-pole-to-win-at-road-america>) at Road America lasted, but he couldn't quite gain control of a funky situation that developed during the podium celebration. After successfully claiming his trophy and his celebratory bottle of champagne, Newgarden was approached by a female fan who quickly made it clear she *craved* some attention from the Tennessee native.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1010981813324603393

As this [tweet](<https://twitter.com/IndyCar/status/1010981813324603393>) shows, Newgarden was casually celebrating his dominant win when a blonde woman wearing a small pink backpack approached him and forced herself into a bear hug. Newgarden is a pretty nice guy, and a true southern gentleman, so he quickly played along and gave the woman a hug. However, that's not where the awkward interaction ended as the woman can be seen saying something to him while vividly flailing her arms, only to do something that I've never witnessed before.

The overzealous fan snatched Newgarden's bottle of champagne away from him and proceeded to shake it and attempt to spray the Penske driver. Luckily for him, the bottle of bubbly had already given it its all, so there wasn't much left to be sprayed by the woman. After roughly 20 seconds of utter confusion, the woman walked away and the silly interaction came to an end.

“Someone took the bottle and started spraying me, too," said [Newgarden](<https://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/15532/indycar-champ-josef-newgarden-really-wants-a-shot-at-f1>). "That happens. You just got to expect the unexpected in Victory Lane is what I would say.”

*See Josef, there is a downside to getting all the girls...*

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)