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Indy 500 winner Will Power sets sights on winning DXC Technology 600 race at Texas Motor Speedway

by Mike Haag | Posted on Wednesday, June 6th, 2018

FORT WORTH, Texas – Newly crowned Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power has his eye on the prize.

2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power. Photo by Dr. Michael C. Johnson

Power, who two weeks ago scored his first-ever Indy 500 win in 11 tries, hopes to become the third driver in Texas Motor Speedway history to score a back-to-back victory Saturday night when the Verizon IndyCar Series returns to Texas for the DXC Technology 600.

Last year at TMS, Power led 180 laps and notched his second victory at TMS where he survived a massive battle of attrition to win the Rainguard Water Sealers 600.

“I always love coming to Texas and racing here,” Power said. “It’s a great track with a lot of speed and a lot of close, tight racing.”

Will Power, winner of the 2017 Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo by Dr. Michael C. Johnson

Power added, “This year’s race is going to be a different formula because we have a different car and package this year.  It will be a good race and the competition will be tough.  It will be tough to be able to win more than a couple races a year.”

Power enters this weekend’s 30th annual Verizon IndyCar Series race riding a wave of success.  He made history by becoming the first Australian driver to win both the Indianapolis Grand Prix on May 12 and then the 102nd Indianapolis 500 while piloting the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

“I keep forgetting that I won both races,” Power said.  “That was my third try at the double.  The last time I had a chance at winning the double I finished second.  This has really been a dream come true.”

Team owner Roger Penske and 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power. Photo by Dr. Michael C. Johnson

With his latest victory, Power now has 34 career wins and is tied for eighth with Al Unser Jr. on the all-time wins list.

“Winning at Indy was something I have been striving for and working hard for, for many years.  That’s where all of that emotion came from in Victory Lane.  I never would have dreamed that I would be out there and among names like those.  When I first got into INDYCAR and racing it was a childhood dream, and it’s been truly fantastic to drive for a team like Penske.”

Power’s Indy 500 win also marked the 17th Indianapolis 500 victory for Team Penske and the 201st IndyCar victory for the team, which are also both records.

Will Power celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the 2017 Rainguard Water Sealers 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo by Dr. Michael C. Johnson

“Driving for Roger Penske is a real honor,” Power said.  “He is so passionate about the sport, especially there at the Indy 500.  To win his 17th and to be named to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame has been a very big month for him.”

This weekend, Power will be one of 22 drivers who will be competing at the 1.5-mile speedway.  The Verizon IndyCar Series will hold practice sessions and qualifying on Friday.  The 248-lap, 372-mile race is set for Saturday at 8 p.m.

“In order to get the win at Texas you have to have a great car, great pit stops and great strategy,” Power said.  “You can’t make any mistakes as a driver.”

Power added, “I think there is going to be some pretty intense racing.  I would love to go back-to-back and get another win at Texas.  We will definitely be pushing hard for the championship because every race counts.”

About the Author

Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 35 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 18 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.