Josef Newgarden crossed the checkered flag 10th in the MAVTV 500 Saturday night under the lights at Auto Club Speedway.

It marked the final race Newgarden would run with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR), before the team merges with Ed Carpenter Racing in 2015 to form CFH Racing.

Newgarden, who started the 500-mile race third on Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile oval, secured his seventh top-10 finish this year in the No. 67 Hartman Oil Dallara/Honda/Firestone car.

“For us it was a long 500 miles,” Newgarden said. “We got through it and secured a nice top-10. It’s good for points, and a solid effort all around. We had good pit stops and really hung in there as a group. We did what we could, and just came up a little short.”

SFHR worked to make downforce level and tire pressure changes on the No. 67 car through seven pit stops in the Verizon IndyCar Series finale, which included just one caution period.

“We didn’t have great rear grip tonight,” Newgarden said. “The front end was a little difficult to figure out too. We had understeer and oversteer at the same time. It’s hard to compromise between those two balances, and it’s always kind of a dancing act with which end of the car you want to make better.

“Tonight we couldn’t quite get the compromise how we wanted it, and when you have that you have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to make it better.”

Tony Kanaan won the MAVTV 500, followed by Scott Dixon and future teammate/ team owner Ed Carpenter, in second and third respectively.

“It’s been a solid year all around with SFHR,” Newgarden said. “Really great performances by everyone. I’m excited to build off of it next year and see what the two groups (SFHR and Ed Carpenter Racing) can do together. I think we’re going to be super strong so I’m excited for what’s to come.”

For the most recent team news and updates during the Verizon IndyCar off-season, follow @SFHRindy on Twitter and Instagram, and like Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing on Facebook.