LEBANON, Tenn. — Of all the crazy rumors floating around the IndyCar paddock during the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway, and there were many, this one might’ve taken the cake, one mentioned in hushed tones on the race day grid and around team transporters alike: “ Josef Newgarden is retiring.”

Newgarden had heard them too. Asked off to the side as he walked off the media center stage following his lone victory of the year Sunday to cap the most trying campaign of his career , Newgarden embraced the bit, scowling at reporters and shooting daggers with his eyes and mumbling, “Don’t. Tell. Anyone.”

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