A Rough Beginning for Will Power
Will Power’s season began on a sour note when an unfortunate incident on the first lap at St. Petersburg left him 26th in the championship standings, nearly at the bottom. Piloting the No. 12 Team Penske Chevy, the 44-year-old found his prospects looking bleak after the Penske team faltered during the qualifying rounds for The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix.
Turning the Tide at The Thermal Club
Despite starting 21st on a challenging road course where overtaking is no easy task, Power demonstrated sheer determination. He navigated through all 65 laps, surging forward to finish in an impressive sixth place on a day devoid of caution periods. “Yeah, that’s a big day for the Verizon Chevy team considering it was full green,” Power reflected. “They didn’t get any lucky yellows or anything. That was pure pace there.”
Strategic Mastery and Methodical Driving
Power credited the team’s strategic prowess and his own patient, methodical approach to overtaking. Although disappointed with the qualifying results, he believed they deserved a spot in the top 10. “That’s racing,” he remarked. His remarkable finish propelled him to 14th place in the Drivers’ Championship.
Looking Ahead: Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park
As Power gears up for the upcoming races at Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park, he needs another strong performance to break into the top 10. “That’s a good day,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of consistency in championship pursuits.
Tire Strategies and Lessons Learned
The race strategy was bolstered by an extra set of faster alternate tires, a luxury they missed at St. Petersburg. In contrast, the preferred tire strategy at the Thermal Club was pivotal. “It was just, man, you had one lap to do it (in qualifying),” Power explained. Despite a misstep in qualifying, his practice pace indicated he was among the top contenders. “But, you know, this is IndyCar, anything can happen. Keep your head on and keep rolling.”
