At the Barber Motorsports Park round of IndyCar, the 43-year-old Australian driver, a two-time series champion, secured a second-place finish, marking the 100th podium of his career in 288 starts. This achievement tied him with Michael Andretti for fourth all-time in podium finishes.
During the post-race press conference, Power expressed confidence in his current form compared to previous seasons. Despite facing challenges last year due to his wife Liz’s illness, he feels closer to the performance level that secured him the 2022 IndyCar title.
Acknowledging the strength of his team and equipment, Power emphasized his determination to secure race wins. Despite recent runner-up finishes, including one aided by disqualifications of his teammates, he remains focused on achieving victory. Despite penalties incurred for his team’s use of illegal overtake software, Power sits second in the overall standings, just one point behind Colton Herta of Andretti Global.
The weekend wasn’t without its challenges for Power, as he encountered engine issues in the morning warm-up session, leading to a last-minute powerplant change just before the race. Additionally, he battled suspected food poisoning. Despite these setbacks, Power and his team managed to resolve the issues swiftly, showcasing their resilience and teamwork.
Reflecting on his performance and the team’s achievements, Power believes that their recent 1-2 finish with teammate Scott McLaughlin at Barber Motorsports Park signifies redemption for Team Penske and owner Roger Penske. He acknowledges the competitiveness of the IndyCar field but remains optimistic about their chances for success if they continue to perform consistently and secure podium finishes.
Looking ahead, Power emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum and consistency throughout the season. While acknowledging the difficulty of winning multiple races in a season, he believes that consistent podium finishes will keep them in contention for the championship. Power’s performance at Barber Motorsports Park demonstrates his resilience, determination, and confidence in his ability to compete at the highest level of IndyCar racing.