Josef Newgarden just picked up his 28th and 29th career NTT INDYCAR SERIES wins already with a weekend doubleheader sweep in Iowa. He’s joining rare company as he’s now tied with Rick Mears for 13th on the all-time wins list.

Mears is held in high regard in open wheel categories and for Newgarden to already tie him with wins is an achievement in and of itself.

He’s two wins shy of tying Dario Franchitti, Paul Tracy and Helio Castroneves for 10th ever. He’s five wins behind Al Unser Jr. for ninth. He’s six wins back from Bobby Unser in 8th and 8 wins behind Sebastien Bourdais in 7th.

How far can he take this?

Newgarden has won 4 or more times in 5 of his 7 seasons with Team Penske. If he gets 4 wins in each of his next two seasons, he’d be tied with Bourdais in 2025. Another 4 wins gets him to Will Power’s current mark at 41.

See, time is in Newgarden’s favor. He’s only 32-years-old. He’s only 13 wins shy of Michael Andretti, 23 shy of Mario and 24 of Scott Dixon. If he averages 4 wins for each season for a decade that’s 40 more wins which could take him clear of AJ Foyt’s 67 mark.

Which is why we’re witnessing a generational driver.

He won Long Beach. He won the Indy 500. He’s won two championships. He’s finished 2nd in each of the last 3 years for the title.

He just passed Al Unser Jr. for 12th on the all-time lap leaders chart at 3,885.

He’s nearing the all-time Penske wins leader mark already. Will Power has 38, Helio Castroneves has 30. Rick Mears has 29. Newgarden has 26.

His 14 oval wins rank him third behind Mears (22) and Castroneves (17).

I think we devalue what we’re witnessing with him and need to relish what we’re watching here as Newgarden could be the best driver in this generation right now.