Timeline of the Relationship Between Indy 500 Champion Josef Newgarden and Ashley Welch

Josef Newgarden, the famous race car driver, won not only the 2023 Indy500 but also won the heart of his wife Ashley Newgarden (née Welch) many years ago. In October 2018, Josef proposed to Ashley while they were visiting one of the most ancient gardens in Kyoto, Japan, and she shared photos of the special moment on Instagram.

The couple has generally kept their life together private after meeting in 2012 and tied the knot in October 2019. In April 2022, they announced that they had welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Kota Nicolai Newgarden. They chose the name Kota, which has Japanese origins and means "happiness" and "good fortune," in reference to the site of their engagement.

Ashley has a deep connection to Japan, having lived there from 2013 to 2014 while working at Tokyo Disneyland. During her time abroad, she played beloved Disney Princesses such as Belle, Ariel, and Snow White.

This year, in May 2023, Josef won the Indy 500 for the 12th time, and Ashley was there to witness his triumph. She was overcome with emotion and tears as soon as her husband passed the finish line and became the ESPYs winner. Meanwhile, Josef attempted to celebrate with the crowd of fans.