LOS ANGELES – Reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion and ESPYS nominee Josef Newgarden is logging a lot of miles in the car this week.

But he isn’t driving his No. 1 Team Penske Chevrolet.

Instead, a professional chauffeur is doing the work behind the wheel as Newgarden makes his way to interviews and parties that come with his nomination in the Best Driver category.

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Newgarden started Tuesday with an early fitting for the tuxedo he’ll wear to the 2018 ESPYS tonight at the Microsoft Theater (8 p.m. ET, ABC). Then, he made his way across the city to a K1 Speed track for a midday interview that included a few laps in a go-kart.

After hours, Newgarden and his girlfriend, Ashley Welch, stopped by The Players’ Tribune and Heroes at the ESPYS parties. The Players’ Tribune bash was held inside a private residence high in the Hollywood Hills, while the official pre-ESPYS party and red-carpet Heroes event went off at the hip City Market Social House in the LA Fashion District. There, he stopped to chat with Sharna Burgess, who became friends with the INDYCAR community as James Hinchcliffe’s partner on Season 23 of “Dancing with the Stars.”

“It’s fun to see this world more intimately. I don’t get many opportunities to see behind the scenes of this type of environment,” Newgarden said. “And then just to be nominated is an honor. It’s a huge recognition of our team and the work that was put in from all of the individuals to win a championship, and to be here representing that is very special.”

The Team Penske driver is one of four nominees in the Best Driver category, along with Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton, NHRA’s Brittany Force and NASCAR’s Martin Truex. The winner, chosen by an online fan vote that runs through today, will be announced during the ESPYS broadcast hosted by Danica Patrick, who concluded her racing career in May at the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.

Regardless of who wins, Newgarden says one of the most interesting parts of his ESPYS trip was his time on the road with the chauffer.

“Getting to see so much of LA that I have not seen before and learning all the tidbits about the city, I think that’s been one of the most fun things about the trip,” he said.

Newgarden will be back behind the wheel of his Indy car soon enough. Second in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series points standings, the 27-year-old Tennessean will race next on Sunday, July 29 at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The race airs live at 3 p.m. ET on CNBC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network, with an encore telecast at 6:30 p.m. on NBCSN.