Will Power hopes to repeat his Indianapolis 500 feat from 2018. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Without a doubt, Will Power is one of NTT IndyCar Series’ most decorated racers in this discipline’s history. After making the leap into this series during the 2008 unification between the IndyCar and Champ Car, he has rarely looked back.
By all means, Power has made a name for himself as a prolific road course and street course racer, tallying 30 of his 39 career victories on these track types. Despite his proficiency on these layouts, he has proven himself as a competitive, keen racer on the ovals, particularly with Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Prior to his first laps around the prestigious superspeedway, the longtime Team Penske racer recalled his first recollections of watching the Indianapolis 500 when he was growing up in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
“My earliest memories of Indianapolis was when we used to watch (the race), my dad (and I),” Power said. “(I) remember Nelson or just remember interviews with Nelson, I think it was and Alan Jones and just how crazy fast the place was (and) how crazy fast the cars were.”
By 2008, Power realized one of his dreams by competing in his first 500-miler with KV Racing Technology, starting 23rd and placing 13th. Over time, he would make his mark at the track, showcasing his incredible qualifying pace and steady driving in race trim.
In 2018, Power, who started on the outside of Row 1, duked it out in the late stages of the race against Stefan Wilson. With five laps to go, Power made the decisive pass, tallying his first Indianapolis 500 victory. Presently, he has a victory, a podium, four top fives, seven top 10 results in his past 15 starts.
Typically, Power is a superb qualifier with four front row starts and an average starting position of 9.6. However, much like his teammate Josef Newgarden, Power has his work cut out for him but only by about four tenths of a second.
A handful of drivers believe Power is the driver to beat in Sunday’s Indianapolis 500. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
That margin was enough to prevent Power from contending in the Firestone Fast Six and a shot at the front row last Sunday. Regardless, Power starts 12th, or the outside of Row 4.
Once the No. 12 Verizon Dallara Chevrolet Team Penske brigade prepared Power’s machine for race trim, the cagey veteran showcased incredible pace, leading Monday’s post-qualifying practice and posting the third fastest time in Friday’s Carb Day final practice session.
No doubt, the two-time and reigning NTT IndyCar Series champion likes his chances ahead of the 107th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
“The car is good,” Power said. “When I look through the field, there are so many good drivers and cars. You have to spend that first half trying not to make any mistakes, get in a good position with pit stops and see where you stack up. My car in particular, I feel really good about so far.”
Unlike the 2018 running of this race, it appears as if Power, or anyone, for that matter, will have their hands full once they are leading the field. Based on the preliminary practice rounds, the competition could not be any closer with this iteration of the DW12.
“The way I feel, if you’re leading at the white flag, the guy will get you on the backstraight,” he said. “The question is would you get him back by the line. So where do you place yourself? What do you do? It’s a tough one.”
Some of those deep thoughts leading up to this crown jewel race are showcased in the recently broadcasted docuseries, 100 Days to Indy, airing on The CW. All in all, Power sees the positives of this new program.
Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 may resemble an open wheel racing dogfight. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
“I think it’s really capturing what drivers do in the background and their personality,” Power said. “So it’s good insight for the fans. I think it’s a great show.”
One of the ways that this year’s Indianapolis 500 can provide a quality show is with a Team Penske battle for the victory in the waning laps. Then again, he sussed out the reality of this prospective scenario, especially if his teammates, Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden, are thinking diplomatically.
“You kidding me? We all want to beat each other badly; probably more than anyone else in the field,” he said. “If the other two say otherwise, they’re lying. I would be happy for Roger (Penske) though to get a win if it wasn’t from me.”
Editor’s Notes
Luis Torres contributed to this article directly on-site from Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.
