Quaker Chemical and Newgarden Race to First IndyCar Podium

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Sep 09, 2013, 09:00 ET

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Josef Newgarden fought his way through multiple crashes, six extended caution periods and extreme heat to finish the Grand Prix of Baltimore presented by SRT in second place, his first podium and highest IZOD IndyCar Series finish in his young career.

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The Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) driver started the 75-lap race from the fifth position, but fell back as far as 19th place before driving his way forward through the field.

"I don't know how I finished second to be honest with you," Newgarden said modestly. "I got hit probably six or seven times in the rear. I know I slammed into people myself to keep from getting hit. I don't even know how to describe this race to anybody. I think everyone had some good and bad luck. Fortunately, the good luck cycled at the end of the race for us and we finished off great."

Quaker Chemical Corporation, an official sponsor and technical partner of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, backed Newgarden's No. 67 SFHR Dallara/Honda/Firestone car in Baltimore as the team scored its best finish of the season.

"We are extremely proud and happy for Josef and the entire Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team," said Joseph Berquist, Quaker VP and Managing Director North America. "It was great to be there along with many other Quaker Associates who attended the Baltimore race to see Joseph capture the 2^nd place finish. The demands of the Baltimore track were a great test for the technology Quaker has been developing for SFHR. The focus has been on grease for the wheel bearings, and Quaker has developed a lubricating grease solution that has reduced the rolling friction in the wheel bearing, helping Josef's car run strong all the way to the finish."

During the race, Newgarden found his No. 67 SFHR Dallara/Honda/Firestone car stuck in the back of a multiple car crash on lap 47. Though he found his way back on track with no major damage, he had a great deal of ground to make up.

The 22-year-old driver successfully maneuvered around two more multiple car collisions, and with five laps remaining, he found himself in second place, directly behind eventual race winner Simon Pagenaud.

"We wanted to challenge Simon [Pagenaud] but we had a bit of a brake mishap at the end," Newgarden said. "We were really struggling with trying to keep the pedal solid. I think the heat was getting to everybody. It was really difficult to keep the cars cool, and it definitely bit us at the end.

"I think we just boiled the temperature too much in the calipers and the fluid was boiled over. As soon as that happens it's so hard to get it back. The tires were fine; I just couldn't brake. I was doing everything I could to hold Sebastien [Bourdais] off at that point. I don't know what would have happened if I could have raced Simon at the end, but I really think we would have given him a run for his money and had a shot. It would have been fun. Simon and I are friends; he's a good guy, and I would have liked to race him. Second place is a great result for our team though, and we'll take it."

At the end of the day, Newgarden gave all of the credit to his team.

"Thanks to everyone at Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing," he said. "I wouldn't be an IndyCar driver without them. I'm so thankful for all the hard work they put in. I'm happy to give them a second-place finish.

"Everyone on our team works so hard. Sarah [Fisher], Wink [Hartman], and the ownership are incredible. We have great mechanics and great engineers that work their tails off. We really haven't had any reward yet over the last year and a half, and I think this is great for everybody. We just have to go get a couple more now."

The IZOD IndyCar Series field will take a breather before they head south to Houston, Texas for a double header on Oct. 5-6. To keep up with the latest news from SFHR, "Like" Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing on Facebook and follow @SFHRindy on Twitter and Instagram.

About Quaker Chemical Corporation:

Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others. For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference. Visit www.quakerchem.com to learn more.

About Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing:

Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) was established in 2008 and is owned by former driver Sarah Fisher, the youngest woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the first woman to run a full IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, and businessman Wink Hartman. SFHR has competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series since 2008, earning its first victory in 2011 at Kentucky Speedway. For more information on Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, visit www.sfhracing.com.

SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation