Newgarden becomes fan favorite at 1st Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Josef Newgarden is so focused on his job that he hasn't bothered to focus on the significance of his accomplishments.

He's the only Honda driver starting in the front three rows of Sunday's Indianapolis 500. He's the highest qualifying rookie since Danica Patrick in 1995. He's trying to become the first driver in track history to win Indy Lights' Freedom 100 and the 500 back-to-back.

At just 21 years old, Newgarden believes he can do it all. And why not?

He's had one of the fastest cars since practice began at Indy, and he believes the No. 67 car is the fastest car in the field.

All he has to do is prove it by becoming the first American to win the race since Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006.