Josef Newgarden's Indy 500 ring being repaired, IMS confirms

UPDATE: This article has been updated with a statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway regarding Josef Newgarden's championship ring.

The frown on Josef Newgarden's face was puzzling.

Newgarden, the first American 500 winner since Alexander Rossi in 2016, won Sunday's Indy 500 after 12 previous attempts. Elated, he didn't climb the fence at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — he charged like a bull through it to celebrate with racing fans, capping an emotional end to the 107th running of the race.

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But moments after Newgarden leaned down for the traditional kissing of the bricks, his wife and crew beside him in celebration, the Indy 500 winner appeared taken aback.

Newgarden seemed to be fidgeting with the Indy 500 champion ring the Tennessee driver had received shortly after beating last year's race winner, Marcus Ericsson, by less than a tenth of a second.

NBC cameras caught the ring falling apart as Newgarden kissed the bricks, though at that moment he appears unfazed as he pops the bulky top back onto its base.

Shortly after, an IndyStar photographer snapped a closer image of Newgarden's ring and the driver's puzzled face.

It was a weird moment in a race day seemingly full of them — flying tires, multiple red flags, and bees.

"(Newgarden), in the excitement of celebration was slamming his hands on the Yard of Bricks on Sunday, which caused the face of the ring to pop off," said an IMS spokesperson in a message Tuesday to IndyStar.

Despite the ring situation, Newgarden radiated happiness for most of the post-race celebration.

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“I’m just so thankful to be here. This place is amazing,” Newgarden had said earlier from atop the winner's tower. “Thank you, Indy. I love this city. I grew up racing karts here as a kid, and I’m so thankful for Roger (Penske), (strategist) Tim (Cindric) and Team Penske."

On its official website, jewelry company Jostens said it's responsible for creating the Indy 500 championship ring. A spokesperson for IMS confirmed the Minnesota-based jeweler has partnered with Penske Entertainment for several years to produce winner's rings. The ring is made of a mixture of 10K white and yellow gold with 1.07 carats of diamond accents, IMS said.

"Jostens creates two rings as part of a backup system and (Newgarden) now is in possession of the second," IMS said. "The original will be repaired and resized."

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John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. IndyStar sports reporter Nathan Brown contributed to this report.