Josef Newgarden hires Klutch Sports Group, becoming agency's first racing client

Josef Newgarden hires Klutch Sports Group, becoming agency’s first racing client

Posted by author March 1, 2025 Sports

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Josef Newgarden has become Klutch Sports Group’s first racing client.
Klutch Sports Group is run by CEO Rich Paul, the longtime friend and agent of NBA great LeBron James.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On the heels of his edgy national commercial during halftime of this year’s Super Bowl, two-time-defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden has landed leading sports management agency Klutch Sports Group to represent him as the Team Penske driver explores new off-track commercial opportunities outside team-affiliated brands.

Klutch was founded and is run by CEO Rich Paul, the longtime agent of NBA great LeBron James. With this deal, Newgarden becomes the agency’s first client in the motorsports realm, joining a client list that includes Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and NBA stars Zach LaVine, Anthony Davis and Draymond Green.

Within the last year, Newgarden has written his first book, a motivational, racing-themed children’s book titled “Josef’s BIG DREAM,” and launched his own fan-centric clothing line, but he’s never previously had an agent to negotiate deals on his behalf. Following his second consecutive 500 win last season, Newgarden and Team Penske announced the two-time series champ’s latest contract extension, securing him in his No. 2 Chevy ride for several years to come.

Earlier this year, he was the first driver featured in Fox’s attention-grabbing, driver-centric ad campaign that also included two-time defending series champ Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward, IndyCar’s most popular driver. All three drivers’ commercials were featured frequently during Fox’s several hours of Super Bowl coverage, and Newgarden was on hand for a brief spot during Fox’s pregame show, during which he got to meet Fox NFL analyst Tom Brady, who appeared in his commercial.

“I think it’s an interesting time for both of us, the intersection of us coming together. (Klutch) has never worked with a motorsport individual, driver, team, what have you,” Newgarden said Friday of the new partnership. “I think the timing right now, everything that’s going on in (IndyCar), the new partnership with Fox, what we’re all collectively (doing) as a group, whether it’s everybody in this room or the drivers, the teams, what we’re all trying to do, it’s a good moment in time for them to get involved.

“I got introduced to them over the offseason. We put something together. Seemed like a very good start as far as when we had a conversation, seemed pretty obvious we should be doing something together. I think we’re going to introduce them to the world of motorsport and they’re going to help us grow.”