By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
Will Power is not used to being winless. For the first time since 2022, he wins an Indy Car race and for all of his 2024 frustration, he is the NTT Indy Car points leader in a Penske sweep at the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. Power said he is not through with winning in 2024. “Yeah, we’ll keep working for more. Like I said at the beginning of this year, I want multiple wins this year. I think that’s what it will take to win the championship. We have the car for it. We have the engine for it.”
Chris Owens Penske goes 1-2-3
The Winners Circle
Will Power won for the first time since the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle in 2022 for his 42 career victory. The gamble to keep him on the track while his teammates Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin pitted for two additional laps paid off as he left the pits before they could catch him with 11 to go. Newgarden made an attempt to pass Power with five to go but could not complete the pass. Power ties Michael Andretti with 41 wins, good for 4th, all-time on the NTT circuit.
They Said It…
Scott McLaughlin on the Penske Sweep. Team Penske’s first 1-2-3 since 2017.
Yeah, ultimately when the cycle
finished, last stop, it was all sort of bringing it home for the team in some ways, yeah, as Josef said. I thought we were really quick in parts. Had a great start, led a lot of laps. I think the strategy didn’t fall our way in terms of the overcut was strong. We knew it was going to be strong, but it was really strong today.”
In the Hunt
Josef Newgarden traded the lead with teammate Scott McLaughlin for most of the day and they both pitted with 12 to go for potentially the win. Will Power stays out for two additional laps and then leapfrogged them for a potential win. Power has not won a NTT Indy car win in 34 races. Newgarden finished second and after crashing his primary car in practice, he talked about how it affected him today. “It wasn’t a car issue, I can tell you that. I think at Team Penske, certainly me, I’m not ever concerned if we have to build up a new car. We have great consistency across the board. This team I think is the best as far as putting another car on track, and it’s going to be the exact same thing.”
The Faders
Scott Dixon– his tires blistered while running the reds. Dixon slowed down on the course and the field went by him and he did not recover. Dixon won the Detroit Grand Prix last week and was the fourth series leader of the season. Power’s victory pushed Dixon back to second. Dixon’s 21st place finish pushed him back to third in the NTT points race.
You Can’t Handle the Lead
Chip Ganassi was exasperated just laps in the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America. On the opening lap, pole sitter Felix Rosenqvist was tagged from behind by Ganassi driver Marcus Armstrong to take away a row one driver. To add to Ganassi’s misery, lap seven found Kyffin Simpson get into it with Christian Rassmussen and ended the day for Simpson.
New Points Leader
Looking at the top seven, Power leads Palou by five points. Scott Dixon falls to third.
Will’s Final Comment on tying Michael Andretti in Indy Car Wins
WILL POWER: “That was the next one I wanted to get. That was the one I’d been wanting for a while. To surpass Michael, big fan of Michael’s as a kid. Watched him win a lot of races. The Andretti family, such a big deal, such legends of this sport. Anytime you’re name is around those guys, it’s a big deal. Cool to be equal with Michael.”
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net