Improv Comedians In Indycars

Defending IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden knows how to pick a line on the track. But can he do it live on a comedy stage?

I’ve never felt like this,” Josef New garden says. “I’ve never, ever, ever felt like throwing up. I actually feel like I’m going to throw up.” IndyCar’s defending champ and I are standing backstage as we anxiously (yeah, we’re panicking) wait to join Chicago’s famed Second City improv troupe for a sold-out performance. Just a few hours ago, after we took an “improv fundamentals” workshop with members of the cast, New garden was feeling bullish. But after sitting in the audience for the early part of the show, we realize the cast members were only in second gear during the workshop. Now they’re at 240 mph and the crowd is roaring. We’re screwed. In between biting our nails, I ask New garden about being the face of IndyCar, dealing with nerves and why the Indy 500 is the most important race in the sport.

ESPN: Are you generally a funny person?

NEWGARDEN: I used to be when I was younger. I was more animated. Jim Carrey was probably my favorite actor growing up. I feel like it’s kind of gotten beat out of me with racing. So I’m excited to try to pull that back out again.

How much performing experience have you had in your life?

Zero, Sam. Zero.

In the school play, were you a lead role or were you, like, the inanimate object?

I did one play when I was a kid. I was, like, 8, and I was the emcee and that was my gig.