It isn’t easy being a Will Power fan; it’s heartbreaking. He’s an incredibly successful racer at the top team in IndyCar, but so many times in his career, Will just came up short in championship battles.
From his debut at Penske in 2009, Power’s had a reputation as a tremendous qualifier and a constant threat to win on road/street circuits, but just couldn’t put it all together over the course of a season. After finishing as runner-up in 2010, 2011 & 2012, it seemed there was something about him as a driver that just didn’t translate to IndyCar championships. He dominated on road/street courses, yet struggled immensely on the ovals. Three seasons in a row he suffered crashes at Super Speedways in the final round of the championship.
Known for his intensity on and off the race track, the angry Australian’s antics made him a one-man meme machine… not in a good way.
Watching Power overcome the odds, and claim an IndyCar championship in 2014 was so impressive. He clinched his championship at the Super Speedway at Fontana. Since then, there were glimpses of brilliance, such as his 2018 Indianapolis 500 win, yet Power hasn’t been consistent over the course of a season. An all-or-nothing racer.
But in 2022, we saw a new Power. Will was consistent and content to finish 3rd or 4th, when in previous years he might’ve thrown a podium away going for a win. After years of inconsistency, sometimes looking unstoppable, sometimes looking subpar, Power reinvented himself at age 41 and won second IndyCar Series Championship. Many drivers lose ultimate pace and speed late in their careers, but just this past weekend Will solidified himself as the fastest man in IndyCar history, breaking Mario Andretti’s all-time pole record. Rarely do any athletes look their best at age 41, but Will Power was truly unbreakable all year long.
6 thoughts on “Two-Time Champion”