INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — IndyCar champion, Indy 500 winner and... children's book writer? You can add "author" to Josef Newgarden's already impressive resume. Just like those IndyCar Series and Indy 500 championships, he now has two books tied to his name. The Team Penske driver and his wife, Ashl ey Newgarden, are sharing their own racing history during storytime to inspire the next generation of IndyCar fans, including their two-year-old son, Kota.  "It's been so cool to put two books together. It's been a passion project for us, certainly. My wife and I, we love reading books to our son, and we wanted more racecar books, IndyCar specific books that are available on the track for people and their families," said Josef Newgarden. He first came up with the idea to write a book a year and a half ago, after winning his first Indianapolis 500. He hoped the first book, titled "Josef's Big Dream," would be a valuable lesson on hard work and dedication.  "'Josef's Big Dream' was a good start for us just trying to talk about the story leading into the Indy 500, and trying to win the race over the last twelve years, then 'Goodnight Racetrack' was really my wife's creation." Ashley Newgarden has been working on "Goodnight Racetrack" for the last few months. The book focuses on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She got the inspiration for it while reading to her son. "'Goodnight Moon' was one of my son's favorite books, and was in rotation always in our house, and I was trying to find some book that represented that in racing, and there was none. So, finding a book, and someone to write it about the Indy 500 traditions, and just what it feels like to be at the trackside is so important to us and I'm just so happy it came to life," said Ashley Newgarden. The Newgardens first met thirteen years ago, just as Josef was starting his career in IndyCar.  "I knew nothing about racing. I thought it was a cute little hobby he did on the weekends, so it was quick turnaround to realize that it was something much bigger than that," Ashley Newgarden recalls of her introduction to racing with a laugh. She wasn't prepared for the magnitude of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Even after writing a book about it, she still finds it difficult to describe.  "It's unfathomable to explain it to anyone who has not experienced it, experienced it as in being inside the racetrack, being there when someone crosses the finish line, even if it's not you," she said. "You have no clue what it feels like until then, and then him winning it the last two years has been something I can't even dream. It's been amazing."  Now, the Newgardens want to pass down that passion for the sport to the next generation. It's something they're already doing with their son.  "When he's here at the track, and still gets to have that family time with my wife and I, and my mom and dad, it's really special," said Josef. "He loves racing, and he loves cars, so certainly from my perspective, I knew how I felt when I was a kid and going to the racetrack, and I love seeing that for my son." Newgarden hopes the books that bear his last name, as well as his performance on the track, show his son the power of teamwork.  "Racing has taught me so much about being a good team player and working well with your team, and I want my son to absorb that when he comes to the track and sees how we operate, and he'll be able to carry that into anything in life, whether he wants to be a racecar driver or something else." When Ashley Newgarden thinks about what she wants her son to take away from his father's career, she hopes it teaches him the importance of perseverance.  "I just want him to be really sure of himself and kind no matter where life takes him, and whatever you do, try your hardest. You don't have to be the best, and you don't always have to win, but when you do win, win graciously, and when you do lose, lose graciously." The Newgardens also want to thank the people all throughout Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for their influence on race fans. Ashley dedicated "Goodnight Racetrack" to the Yellow Shirts, staff and community of the Speedway, thanking them for "creating a truly magical racing experience." The book is sold online, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gift shop and in the merchandise shop at IndyCar races.  ...read more read less