Racing in today’s 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be Josef Newgarden, a member of the Quaker Chemical-backed Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team. Conshohocken-based Quaker Chemical is a sponsor and technical contributor to Newgarden’s Honda/Dallara.

“We are very proud and excited to continue to bring our technology and expertise to the Sarah Fisher Hartman team and be part of their success,” Joe Berquist, Quaker VP and Managing Director North America, said. “And we are looking forward to a great performance at the Indy 500, the biggest race of the year.”

Last weekend during the Fast Nine portion of Time Trials, Newgarden posted a very strong 4-lap average speed of 229.893 to secure his 2nd-best starting spot for the 500, having started from the 7th position in 2012.

“We had a great day today,” Newgarden said. “It started off well with just being in the Fast Nine Shootout, which was a big achievement for us from Saturday. We didn’t quite have enough for Pole position but we gave it everything we had, and I’m super proud of everyone at SFHR for doing that. It’s always good to start this race in clean air.”

Newgarden, who in 2012 was the top rookie qualifier and Honda-powered qualifier, is now much more at ease with the gravity of trying to win Indy 500, known universally as one of the world’s greatest motor races.

“Going into my third year, I’m much more comfortable with the routine of Indy. You’re more at ease each year. It’s so difficult when you see the crowd on Sunday and you think about the two weeks put into it, all the work, the team that’s done everything for you, the engineers, the mechanics; there’s a lot put into it for this one day. It’s a very difficult race from a pressure standpoint and the pressure gets into your head very easily. Now, coming into my third year, I feel a lot more comfortable. I understand how the race is going to flow, and I think we’re going to have a good car, so I’m excited for Sunday and I’m just happy I have those two years of experience to lean on.”

The 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 will begin today at noon and will air live on ABC.