WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend is just over a month away, but on Monday, back-to-back Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden made a pit stop in Iowa to do a different kind of racing.
Newgarden was the special guest at the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Esports Tournament at the MidAmerican RecPlex. Kids ages 8-18 got to compete for prizes, playing the racing game "Assetto Corsa".
The kids also got to play against Newgarden himself, which he admits was pretty intimidating.
"Gaming's tough," Newgarden said. "I used to be good in gaming. I was all about esports and I've lost a step in that regard. So, reality's more where I live. But what I love about esports, especially now, is that it provides so much opportunity and accessibility for anybody."
The tournament consisted of experienced and new gamers like Lucas Bisgard. He got his first gaming console in 2017, but has never participated in any competitions prior to the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Tournament. Bisgard ended up placing third overall.
"It feels really good, " Bisgard said. "I thought I would not do that good at all."
Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend will take place July 12-14 at Iowa Speedway. Newgarden swept the doubleheader last year.