Will Power, Team Penske Secures Fourth Victory of 2025 Season

Will Power remains one of the most dominant forces in IndyCar as he enters his 17th season with Team Penske in 2025. The Australian veteran shows no signs of slowing down despite being in the later stages of his illustrious career. He drives the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevrolet.

Power holds the all-time record for pole positions in the series—a testament to his incredible qualifying prowess and raw speed. With two IndyCar Series championships (2014, 2022) and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory already in his trophy case, the Australian veteran has had a stellar career.

Recently, Power made headlines by hiring an agent for the first time as he approaches contract negotiations with Team Penske. This business-savvy move suggests the 44-year-old is strategically planning the final chapter of his racing career. His technical feedback, consistent performances, and ability to extract maximum performance from his car continue to make him a valuable asset to Roger Penske’s operation.

For the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Power ranks among the top contenders. His methodical approach to the event, combined with Team Penske’s resources and his previous success at the Brickyard, puts him in an elite group of drivers capable of drinking the milk in Victory Circle this May. The competition will be fierce, but Power’s experience navigating the pressures of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing gives him a significant edge over many in the field.

Will Power: Career Overview

Will Power has established himself as one of the most accomplished drivers in IndyCar history through his remarkable skill, consistency, and determination on the track. His journey from Australia to becoming a two-time IndyCar champion showcases a career defined by breaking records and overcoming challenges.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Will Power began his racing journey in his native Australia, cutting his teeth in open-wheel categories before making the leap to America. The Toowoomba-born driver first caught attention in Champ Car, where he secured his first victory in 2007 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

When Champ Car merged with the IndyCar Series in 2008, Power found himself at a crossroads. Initially signed for a part-time role with Team Penske in 2009, a devastating crash at Sonoma that broke his back might have derailed his career. Instead, it became the setup for an incredible comeback story.

Roger Penske saw something special in the Australian and offered him a full-time seat for 2010. Power immediately validated that decision by winning five races and finishing second in the championship.

Achievements with Team Penske

Power’s trophy cabinet speaks volumes about his exceptional career. He captured IndyCar championships in 2014 and 2022, cementing his legacy among the sport’s elite. His 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory stands as perhaps his most emotional achievement after years of near-misses at the Brickyard.

The statistics tell a compelling story. Power holds the all-time record for IndyCar poles, surpassing Mario Andretti’s long-standing mark. Now in his 17th season with Team Penske in 2025, driving the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevrolet, he shows no signs of slowing down.

His longevity with a single team is remarkable in modern motorsport. At 44 years old, Power remains a championship contender, combining experience with an undiminished hunger for victory.

Will Power’s Driving Style and Skills

Power’s driving style merges technical precision with adaptability. On road and street courses, his qualifying performances are legendary—nobody in IndyCar history has started from pole position more often.

What makes Power exceptional is his continued evolution. Once considered primarily a road course specialist, he has developed into a complete driver. His oval racing abilities have improved dramatically throughout his career, culminating in that Indy 500 triumph.

For the 2025 Indy 500, Power ranks among the top contenders. His combination of experience, Team Penske equipment, and proven success at Indianapolis makes him a legitimate threat for a second 500 victory. The fire still burns brightly, and his technical feedback to engineers remains among the most valuable in the paddock.

Team Penske in IndyCar Racing

Team Penske stands as a dominant force in IndyCar racing with an unmatched record of success spanning decades. The organization has shaped the sport through championship victories, Indianapolis 500 wins, and by fielding some of the most talented drivers in motorsport history.

History and Legacy

Team Penske’s IndyCar journey began in 1968 when Roger Penske entered his first Indianapolis 500. What followed was nothing short of motorsport legend-building. The team quickly established itself as the gold standard in preparation, technology, and execution.

The “Penske Perfect” philosophy—meticulous attention to detail and surgical precision in operations—became the team’s hallmark. This approach transformed IndyCar racing, raising standards across the paddock.

Through different eras and rule changes, Team Penske has shown remarkable adaptability. From the dominant Marlboro-liveried cars of the 1990s to today’s sleek machines, the team has maintained its competitive edge while building the most successful team in INDYCAR SERIES history.

The Captain, as Roger Penske is known, revolutionized the business side of racing too, creating a model that others still try to emulate.

Notable Team Achievements

Team Penske’s trophy case tells the story of unparalleled success with 244 wins, 17 championships, and 305 poles in IndyCar racing. Their Indianapolis 500 record stands particularly tall with 19 victories—far outpacing any competitor.

The team’s dominance spans eras:

• 1970s: First Indy 500 win with Mark Donohue (1972)
• 1980s-90s: Multiple championships with Rick Mears, Al Unser, and others
• 2000s-present: Continued excellence with Castroneves, Power, and Newgarden

Josef Newgarden’s back-to-back championships (2017, 2019) and Will Power’s 2014, 2022 titles added to the impressive collection. Power’s remarkable 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory marked Team Penske’s 200th IndyCar win—a fitting milestone.

The team’s consistency remains staggering—rarely does a season pass without Penske cars fighting for wins and championships.

Roster of Drivers and Team Dynamics

The current Team Penske lineup represents one of the strongest driver rosters in motorsport. Will Power brings veteran savvy and qualifying wizardry, while Josef Newgarden offers raw speed and racing intelligence. Scott McLaughlin has quickly adapted from Supercars champion to IndyCar race winner.

This driver lineup for 2025 creates a perfect balance of experience and hunger. Each brings distinct strengths—Power’s precision, Newgarden’s aggression, McLaughlin’s adaptability.

Indy 500 Potential (2025):

Driver	Strengths	500 Win Potential
Josef Newgarden	Race craft, restarts	Excellent
Will Power	Consistency, experience	Very strong
Scott McLaughlin	Versatility, improving oval skills	Strong

Behind the scenes, Team Penske operates with military-like efficiency. The engineering depth allows for data sharing while fostering healthy internal competition. Past stars like Helio Castroneves (four-time Indy 500 winner) and Simon Pagenaud built the modern team’s foundation before moving elsewhere.

Key Championships and Titles

Will Power’s career with Team Penske has been defined by remarkable achievements at the highest levels of motorsport. His precision driving and analytical approach have secured him multiple championships and prestigious victories that cement his legacy in racing history.

Indianapolis 500 Triumphs

Will Power conquered “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in 2018, finally adding the coveted Indy 500 victory to his impressive resume. After years of near-misses, Power masterfully navigated the 2.5-mile oval to drink the traditional milk in Victory Lane.

“It’s the last box to tick,” Power said after his win, completing his quest for racing’s triple crown.

For the 2025 Indy 500, Power remains a strong contender. At 44, his experience and Team Penske’s superior engineering give him approximately a 15% chance of victory. His methodical approach to the race and stellar qualifying performances make him a driver to watch.

IndyCar Series Championships

Power has claimed two IndyCar Series championships in his career (2014 and 2022), establishing himself as one of the sport’s elite drivers. His 2014 title came after several near-misses, showcasing his persistence and mental toughness.

Eight years later, Power secured his second championship with remarkable consistency. He only won a single race that season but displayed incredible reliability with nine podium finishes.

Power’s championship success is particularly impressive given the competitive IndyCar field. Racing for Team Penske, an organization with over 500 victories across motorsports, Power has contributed significantly to their legacy of excellence.

His aggressive yet calculated driving style makes him particularly dominant on road and street courses, though his oval performance has improved dramatically throughout his career.

Significant Races and Circuits

Will Power has built his legendary status through performances at key circuits on the IndyCar calendar. His calculated driving style and technical precision have made him particularly successful at certain tracks where he’s established dominance throughout his career.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The crown jewel of American motorsport has been both kind and cruel to Will Power. His 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory stands as perhaps the most significant achievement of his career, finally conquering the 2.5-mile oval after years of near misses.

Power’s qualifying performances at Indy have been consistently impressive, with four front-row starts demonstrating his raw speed at the Brickyard. His methodical approach to the month of May—building speed gradually through practice sessions—has become a trademark.

For the 2025 Indy 500, Power brings championship experience and the might of Team Penske behind him. With Chevrolet power and recent strong oval performances, he enters as a top-five contender despite facing stiff competition.

Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park

Power’s road course prowess shines particularly bright at these technical circuits. At Long Beach, his ability to thread the needle between concrete barriers while extracting maximum performance has resulted in multiple victories at America’s Monaco.

Barber Motorsports Park—with its undulating terrain and technical sections—plays perfectly to Power’s precise driving style. His throttle control through the challenging off-camber corners has frequently left competitors scrambling to match his pace.

His qualifying performances at these circuits are particularly noteworthy:

Circuit	Pole Positions	Wins	Notable Achievements
Long Beach	4	2	Led 190+ laps over career
Barber	5	3	Won from pole twice

World Wide Technology Raceway Strategy

Power’s evolution as an oval racer is perhaps best demonstrated at WWT Raceway (formerly Gateway). Once considered primarily a road course specialist, Power has mastered the unique challenges of this 1.25-mile egg-shaped oval.

His 2024 strategic victory showcased his maturity as an oval racer. Power excels at managing tire degradation on the abrasive surface while timing his moves perfectly through traffic.

The track’s unique configuration—with different radii turns at each end—rewards Power’s technical adaptability. He’s particularly effective at adjusting his line through Turns 1 and 2 as fuel loads change.

His fuel-saving capabilities have repeatedly given Team Penske strategic options unavailable to competitors, often turning seemingly lost races into podium finishes through tactical brilliance.

Rivalries and Competitor Analysis

Team Penske and Will Power operate in a fierce competitive environment marked by intense team rivalries and strategic battles that define the IndyCar series landscape. These dynamics shape race outcomes and championship battles in significant ways.

Rival Teams and Drivers

The Penske-Ganassi rivalry stands as the most heated battle in IndyCar, spanning two decades of intense competition. Scott Dixon remains Power’s most formidable opponent, bringing consistent performance and tactical brilliance that has frustrated the Penske camp numerous times.

Emerging talents like Pato O’Ward from Arrow McLaren present fresh challenges, with O’Ward’s aggressive driving style directly contrasting Power’s calculated approach. The young Mexican has demonstrated championship potential, making him a serious threat.

Josef Newgarden, though a teammate, represents an internal rivalry that occasionally boils over, as evidenced when Power famously gave Newgarden the middle finger during the Gateway race. This teammate dynamic adds complexity to Penske’s operation.

Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta bring Andretti Autosport into the mix with their raw speed and opportunistic race craft.

Strategic Competitive Landscape

The IndyCar competitive environment extends beyond driver talent to resource allocation and testing opportunities. Penske and Ganassi enjoy significant advantages in the testing parity problems that plague the series, giving them data advantages other teams lack.

Arrow McLaren has emerged as a serious contender with substantial investment and technical partnerships, challenging Penske’s traditional dominance. Their Indy 500 preparation has been particularly impressive.

Romain Grosjean’s F1 experience brings valuable perspective to the competition, though his oval racing skills remain a developing aspect of his repertoire.

For the 2025 Indy 500, the competitive outlook appears particularly tight:

Driver	Team	Indy 500 Potential	Key Advantage
Will Power	Team Penske	Very High	Experience, qualifying speed
Scott Dixon	Chip Ganassi	Excellent	Race management, consistency
Josef Newgarden	Team Penske	Excellent	Defending champion momentum
Pato O’Ward	Arrow McLaren	Strong	Improving oval performance
Scott McLaughlin	Team Penske	High	Growing oval confidence
Linus Lundqvist	Chip Ganassi	Moderate	Raw talent, limited experience

Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships

Team Penske’s commercial success extends far beyond the racetrack, with strategic partnerships forming the backbone of Will Power’s racing program. These alliances provide crucial technical and financial support that helps maintain the team’s competitive edge.

Chevrolet’s Role and Support

Chevrolet stands as one of Team Penske’s most vital technical partners, supplying engines and technical expertise that power Will Power to victory lane. The Chevrolet and Team Penske partnership has created a formidable combination in the NTT IndyCar Series.

Power’s No. 12 car showcases Chevrolet’s 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine – technology that has proven reliable and powerful on ovals and road courses alike. This technical alliance gives Power a solid foundation for the 2025 Indy 500, where engine performance remains crucial.

Roger Penske’s business acumen ensures the Chevy relationship extends beyond mere decals, incorporating deep technical collaboration that helps optimize car setup for various tracks. The engineering support provided by Chevrolet gives Power approximately a 5% performance edge over teams with less integrated manufacturer relationships.

Commercial Ventures and Endorsements

PPG Industries represents Team Penske’s longest-standing commercial partnership, now entering its fifth decade of cooperation. The paint manufacturer will appear as primary sponsor on six races during the 2024 season, maintaining one of motorsport’s most enduring business relationships.

Will Power leverages these commercial partnerships for personal endorsements that enhance his marketability beyond racing. His professional demeanor and championship pedigree make him an appealing brand ambassador.

Team Penske’s global partnerships extend to Porsche Penske Motorsport efforts in sports car racing, demonstrating Roger Penske’s ability to create value across multiple racing disciplines. These diversified relationships strengthen the organization’s financial foundation.

For the 2025 Indy 500, Power’s commercial backing translates to unlimited testing resources and data analysis – critical advantages that place him among the top five favorites to win the race. The combination of Penske’s preparation and Chevrolet power gives him a realistic 15-20% chance of drinking the milk in victory lane.

Technical Aspects and Innovations

Behind Will Power’s success at Team Penske lies a sophisticated technical operation that blends cutting-edge engineering with practical racing innovations. The team’s technical prowess combines advanced digital design tools with aerodynamic excellence to create championship-winning cars.

Race Car Engineering and Design

Team Penske’s engineering approach has evolved significantly in recent years, embracing digital innovation to stay ahead of the competition. The team adopted a new engineering platform that includes advanced computer-aided design software, revolutionizing how they develop their IndyCar machines for drivers like Will Power.

This digital transformation allows Team Penske engineers to simulate performance before physical testing, saving crucial development time. Their technical team can rapidly prototype components and test virtual changes before committing to manufacturing.

One fascinating innovation is their push-to-pass system management. Team Penske has developed sophisticated strategies for using the push-to-pass feature, giving Power an edge during crucial overtaking moments.

The team’s engineering precision extends to Power’s car setup, which is meticulously tailored to his driving style – a key factor in his two IndyCar championships (2014 and 2022).

Advancements in Aerodynamics

Aerodynamic development represents perhaps the most crucial technical battleground in modern IndyCar racing. Team Penske’s aero program has consistently produced cars with exceptional balance and downforce characteristics suited to Will Power’s precise driving style.

Their wind tunnel program tests hundreds of minute variations to find milliseconds of advantage. The team’s CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) capabilities allow them to simulate airflow patterns that would be impossible to visualize in real-world testing.

For the 2025 Indy 500, Power’s car features refined underbody aerodynamics that provide more consistent downforce through Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s challenging turns. This development gives him approximately 80% chance of being competitive for the win, assuming normal weather conditions.

Team Penske’s latest aero package demonstrates particular strength in:

• Reduced drag on straights
• Better stability in traffic
• Superior tire management through aero loading

Will Power’s Personal Life and Brand

Will Power balances his racing career with a carefully cultivated public image and personal interests that extend beyond the track. His life off the circuit reveals a multi-dimensional character with unique family ties to motorsport.

Public Persona and Media Presence

Will Power has built a reputation as one of IndyCar’s most candid and sometimes explosive personalities. Born with the perfect name for a racer, the Australian driver has become known for his unfiltered radio communications and occasional moments of frustration – remember that infamous double-bird salute to race control?

But there’s more to Power than those passionate outbursts. He’s evolved into a more measured veteran presence in recent years, particularly after winning his second IndyCar championship in 2022. His social media presence under @12WillPower on Twitter showcases both his professional achievements and glimpses into his personal life.

Power is represented by A14 Management, who handle his commercial partnerships and public appearances. His marketability has remained strong throughout his career, with his authentic personality making him a valuable asset for sponsors.

Personal Interests and Endeavors

Away from the racetrack, Power has a rich family life in Charlotte, NC. His wife Liz has been a central figure in his personal story, particularly during 2023 when she faced serious health challenges. Power demonstrated remarkable resilience during this period, managing to compete at the highest level while supporting his wife through recovery.

Racing runs in Power’s blood. He was named after his great-grandfather, a motorcycle racer, creating a multi-generational connection to motorsport. This heritage seems to fuel his competitive drive.

Power has shown interest in Formula 1 throughout his career, having tested F1 cars previously. While his primary focus remains IndyCar, these broader motorsport interests highlight his passion for all forms of racing.

The Future for Will Power and Team Penske

Will Power faces a critical juncture in his racing career as his current contract with Team Penske expires after the 2025 season. The veteran driver’s performance and future plans have become a hot topic in the IndyCar paddock.

Speculations on Contract Renewal

Will Power’s contract with Team Penske is officially up after the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season, creating questions about what happens next for the veteran driver. At his age, some might expect retirement talk, but Power seems to have other ideas.

Power recently signed with A14 Management, suggesting he’s planning for his racing future beyond this season. This strategic move indicates he’s positioning himself for contract negotiations.

The Australian driver has boldly stated he believes he could remain competitive for “another five years”, demonstrating his confidence and desire to continue racing at the highest level.

Team Penske’s decision will likely hinge on Power’s 2025 performance. If he maintains the form that brought three wins in 2024, Penske would be hard-pressed not to extend his contract.

Potential Career Milestones Ahead

Power enters the 2025 season as part of Team Penske’s formidable lineup alongside Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin. He still drives the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevrolet. This is Power’s 17th season with the team.

The Indianapolis 500 remains Power’s biggest target for 2025. Despite his impressive career achievements, he’s only captured the Indy 500 once. Based on his recent form and Team Penske’s dominance at the Brickyard, Power has a strong chance at drinking the milk again this May.

Power’s pursuit of additional records continues to fuel his drive. With each race win, he inches closer to more all-time IndyCar records that would cement his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest competitors.

His technical feedback and experience make him invaluable to Team Penske beyond just race results. This factor could weigh heavily in contract discussions, as his development skills benefit the entire organization.