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