Just like on a racetrack, Simon Pagenaud has pulled ahead of teammate Josef Newgarden in their good-natured but also increasingly bold autograph battle.
Otherwise known on Twitter as: #IndyCarAutographBattle
Late Thursday night, Pagenaud snuck up to Newgarden’s house and signed his name on the frame of his teammate’s front door.
Advantage (for now): Pagenaud.
Better sleep with one eye open, @josefnewgarden 👁! #IndyCarAutographBattle #TakeBackThe1 // @Team_Penske @IndyCar #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/2327OTd2fR
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 30, 2018
This came three days after Newgarden, also under the cover of darkness, left his autograph on a front brick of Pagenaud’s house after the pair returned from a trip to Indianapolis.
Simon, Simon, Simon... you gotta think bigger than that, bro. You have now been signed! Your move @simonpagenaud.#DEFENDTHE1 | #TeamJN |@Team_Penske #INDYCARAutographBattle pic.twitter.com/aUBERhZg2G
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) March 27, 2018
So the battle continues to heat up, although Pagenaud has had the last laugh for now, saying “Your move” as he ran away from Newgarden’s abode last night.
***********************************************
Here’s the hilarious back story of the “feud” between the Team Penske drivers:
Newgarden and Pagenaud filmed a safety promotional video for the TSA Monday at the Indianapolis International Airport.
Hey @TSA - your group at @INDairport are total bosses. Thanks for keeping us safe, and keep up the good work! 😂✈️🏁
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 26, 2018
#IndyCar #Indy500 @AskTSA @IMS @IndyCar @Team_Penske @VisitIndy pic.twitter.com/NzScQ5Auva
But Newgarden forgot his costume for the shoot – his firesuit and helmet. Just before he boarded his plane to meet up with Newgarden in Indy, Pagenaud was pressed into last-minute duty to also transport “King Josef’s” stuff.
Just arrived to @INDairport for a promo shoot but @josefnewgarden can’t start until I give him his firesuit!! 🤴🏼#IndyCar @IndyCar @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/7j8PxmdY9G
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 26, 2018
Thanks for delivering my luggage @simonpagenaud, what a guy. pic.twitter.com/Sa688QQIqg
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) March 26, 2018
So during a break in the filming, Pagenaud went into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gift shop at the airport and signed a few of his diecasts that were on sale. He also ribbed Newgarden for not having any signed items in the store.
Having a little fun picking on @josefnewgarden today at @INDairport! 🤴🏼#IndyCar @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/SUzb7roFqH
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 26, 2018
Newgarden then upped the ante:
Head over to the @IMS store at @INDairport... I’m signing everything. pic.twitter.com/iCgrKyFLq6
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) March 26, 2018
That included Newgarden signing a fan’s t-shirt:
Your move @simonpagenaud.#INDYCAR | #TeamJN pic.twitter.com/L7ZB0o8beu
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) March 26, 2018
That only added fuel to the fire, as Pagenaud then signed an official Indy car on display in the airport:
Hey @josefnewgarden - it’s cute that you signed someone’s T-shirt at the gift shop in @INDairport. I sign real race cars 🏎 😂 #INDYCARautographbattle #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/pcUUuMc5Lp
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 26, 2018
To which Newgarden retorted:
Super cute signature, @simonpagenaud... but you gotta go big bro. #INDYCAR | #TeamJN | #INDYCARAutographBattle pic.twitter.com/wMZLVc3WEb
— Josef Newgarden (@josefnewgarden) March 26, 2018
After that, they were good boys until they got back home to Charlotte.
That didn’t last long, though. Pagenaud lamented he again had to carry Newgarden’s firesuit and helmet back to Charlotte. Which set up the next element of the battle:
.@josefnewgarden, you had me bring your suit and helmet to Indy, and then didn’t ask for it back when we got home to CLT?! #IndyCarAutographBattle continues then, sir! 🤴🏼#TakeBackThe1 #IndyCar @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/geHySKvSAi
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 27, 2018
That only served to ratchet up the battle for the defending IndyCar champion, and it became very clear he just wasn’t going to let it drop with the guy who won the championship one year before him.
Ergo, Newgarden “signed” Pagenaud’s house.
But now, in light of Pagenaud’s retaliatory move last night, what will Newgarden’s next move be? It almost reminds us of:
.@josefnewgarden & @simonpagenaud’s #INDYCARautographbattle reminds us of something... 🤔
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) March 27, 2018
Check out their recent tweets. 🤣#INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/IVhpY6712D
Wait, there’s more.
James Hinchcliffe isn’t about to let Newgarden and Pagenaud have all the fun. He’s all-in to the autograph battle now, too:
I see your signing of the show car, @josefnewgarden @simonpagenaud, and raise you the store sign!! The real loser here is @INDairport who will now have Drivers graffiti all over the place! #IndyCarAutographBattle https://t.co/AS0luvFXRK
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) March 28, 2018
.@Hinchtown just went there.
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) March 28, 2018
The #INDYCARAutograph battle continues at @INDairport 🤣✈️#INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/mLrwLILCBl
If you happen to be at @INDairport & head to the @IMS store, you might find some special @Hinchtown signatures. #SorryNotSorry #LoveIndy #INDYCAR #ThisIsMay pic.twitter.com/qCNXPuXM1d
— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) March 28, 2018
To which Pagenaud tweeted to Hinchcliffe:
Solid move, @Hinchtown. Although technically you’re a little safer since you don’t live in the same state as me and @josefnewgarden 😂 #IndyCarAutographBattle https://t.co/Eaf15CFom4
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) March 28, 2018
Keep up with the escalating battle by following (it’s only going to get better) on Twitter at:
#IndyCarAutographBattle