IndyCar star Josef Newgarden made an appearance at Game 4 of the World Series, putting the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner in the middle of one of the biggest events in sports.
But for racing fans, there’s another interesting detail about his appearance: the game took place just a stone’s throw from the St. Petersburg street circuit, home of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Newgarden, one of the biggest names in American open-wheel racing, was spotted taking in the action as baseball’s biggest stage continued in the Tampa Bay area.
The proximity to St. Petersburg’s racing scene makes the appearance especially interesting for motorsports fans. The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is one of the signature events on the IndyCar calendar, bringing the series to the streets of downtown St. Petersburg each year.
While Newgarden’s appearance at the World Series doesn’t necessarily signal anything racing-related, it’s a cool crossover between two major American sports.
Whether he was there simply to enjoy the game or take in the atmosphere, seeing one of IndyCar’s biggest stars at the Fall Classic is a moment racing fans can appreciate.
And with the St. Petersburg circuit practically in the neighborhood, it’s a reminder of just how closely the worlds of major-league sports and motorsports can overlap.