Lengthy earlier than race automobile drive Josef Newgarden gained the 2023 Indy500, he gained the guts of spouse Ashley Newgarden (née Welch).
“It was coincidental seeing one of the historic gardens in Kyoto, as a result of I’ll quickly be the Latest Backyard of all of them,” Ashley captioned pictures of Josef proposing in Japan in October 2018 by way of Instagram. “I by no means knew that I might love somebody the way in which that I like you.”
Gushing Instagram posts aren’t typical for the couple, who’ve largely saved their life collectively non-public after assembly in 2012. They tied the knot in October 2019 and introduced in April 2022 that they welcomed their first youngster collectively, a child boy.
“Kota Nicolai Newgarden has arrived,” Josef shared on social media on the time. “We’re a fairly non-public household, so I gained’t be sharing a lot, however for the reason that racing world is aware of, Ashley and I needed to say that Kota is right here secure and sound. Each mother and little man are doing actually nice 💙.”
Ashley added an explainer on Kota’s identify, which ties again to Japan, the location of their engagement. “Japanese origin which means ‘happiness’ and ‘success’ … Kota, in simply your quick time Earth aspect, you could have given us simply that. Everlasting happiness. ❤️💙,” she wrote.
The actress has a protracted connection to the nation, having lived there from 2013 to 2014 whereas working at Tokyo Disneyland. She performed Disney Princesses similar to Belle from Magnificence and the Beast, Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves whereas working overseas simply after school.
They’ve come a great distance since their begin as a younger driver and a princess. In Could 2023, Ashley watched as her husband race within the Indy 500 for the twelfth time — and he lastly gained. She was seen breaking down in tears as quickly because the ESPYs winner handed the end line.
In the meantime, Josef tried to go straight into the grandstand to be among the many followers.
“I’ve at all times needed to enter the gang right here in Indianapolis,” Newgarden advised NBC Sports activities on the time. “I’ve seen folks go up into the fence. I needed to undergo the fence. I needed to have fun with the folks. I simply thought it will be so cool to be in that vitality as a result of I do know what that vitality is like on race day. This was a dream of mine. If this was ever going to occur, I needed to do this.”
Ashley captioned pictures of his joyous win by way of Instagram Story, “BABY, YOU DID IT!!”
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Scroll all the way down to see Josef and Ashley’s relationship timeline: