Astemo and Team Penske Enter Their 15th Season Together in INDYCAR
SPORTS
Astemo returns for its 15th straight season sponsoring Josef Newgarden’s No. 2 car in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Team Penske.
Some partnerships are transactional. Others become foundational. Astemo's relationship with Team Penske falls firmly in the second category. Now entering its 15th consecutive season, the global automotive supplier will once again appear on Josef Newgarden's No. 2 Dallara/Chevrolet as the two organizations head into one of the most anticipated INDYCAR seasons in recent memory.
A Partnership Built on Shared Success
Astemo, a joint venture between Hitachi, Honda Motor Co., and JIC Capital, supplies fuel-system components for all 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged Chevrolet race engines competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. That technical relationship gives the partnership depth beyond branding, Astemo's components are literally powering the competition.
For the 2026 season, the Astemo name will appear on the front, sides, and rear wing of the No. 2 car at nine races. The partnership comes off a strong 2025 season that ended with Newgarden claiming victory at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, a win that underscored the team's continued competitiveness heading into the new year.
"We're looking forward to continued success in 2026," said Rob Sharpe, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Astemo Americas. "Our partnerships with Team Penske and Chevrolet have proven to be highly successful both on and off the track. The business relationships we've developed as a result of our motorsports programs are without equal."
Josef Newgarden: One of Motorsport's Most Decorated Active Drivers
At the center of this partnership is Newgarden himself, a two-time INDYCAR Series champion and the first driver in more than 20 years to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500 races, achieving the feat in both 2023 and 2024. Now in his 15th season of North American open-wheel competition, Newgarden brings a combination of proven championship pedigree and consistent race-winning form that makes the No. 2 car one of the most watched on the grid.
His visibility has extended beyond the track. Last year, Newgarden was prominently featured in marketing campaigns by Fox, an INDYCAR broadcast partner, amplifying the reach of the sponsors who support his program.
A Historic Season for Team Penske
The timing of this renewal is particularly meaningful. Team Penske is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, entering the season as one of the most decorated organizations in professional motorsport history. The team has accumulated more than 650 major race wins, 700 pole positions, 48 championships across multiple disciplines, and 20 Indianapolis 500 victories, a record no other team has matched.
With that legacy comes expectation, and Team Penske will be focused on adding to its championship tally and Indianapolis 500 victory count throughout the season.
A Special Race in Washington, D.C.
One of the highlights of the 2026 calendar is the newly announced Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., scheduled for August 23. Astemo will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 2 car for this landmark race, which celebrates the United States' 250th anniversary. The event adds historical significance to what is already a milestone season for everyone involved.
With 18 races scheduled across the United States and Canada, including two brand-new stops in Phoenix and Arlington, Texas, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season promises to be one of the most expansive in recent history. For Astemo and Team Penske, it's another chapter in a partnership that has proven its value on the track and in the boardroom for 15 consecutive years.