At 41-years-old, a matured Will Power said he is in the best form of his career after the Australian won the Detroit Grand Prix and stormed back to the top of the IndyCar series standings.
Power carved his way through an ultra-competitive field after starting 16th and gained redemption for last year’s heartbreak at Belle Isle when a late caution brought out a red flag and his car couldn’t start for the finish.
It was Power’s third win in Detroit in what will be the last race at the Belle Isle track.
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On alternative tyres, the Toowoomba product kept his cool to hold off fast-finishing American Alexander Rossi.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes!” Power hollered through his car radio.
“Oh god, thank you boys, redemption.”
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Power said he just drove his car “as straight as I could” as Rossi closed.
“I was just waiting for something to happen the last 10 laps but just stayed laser focused. I was just hitting my marks at the end, very focused.
“A very good performance mentally for me. That’s how I always judge my performances and I really left nothing on the table and got right on that sweet spot of the zone.
“That’s why I was able to pump out really quick laps.
Power – a one-time series winner and four-time runner-up – had no hesitation when asked if this was the best season of his illustrious career.
“Yeah and definitely a mental shift. It’s just me getting older and learning how this thing rolls. If you don’t qualify in pole it’s not the end of everything.”
Power overtook Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson at the top of the standings with Pato O’Ward in third.
It was Power’s first race win of the season, completing a Penske trifecta with teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden.
Rossi, who this week confirmed he’s moving to Arrow McLaren SP next season, used a three stop strategy to rally from his 11th place starting position and drive through the field to contend for the win.
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But Power had already taken control of the race and Rossi could only try to close the gap.
Although Rossi made it close as both drivers were dealing with traffic, Power beat him to the finish.
“I think one more lap would have been really interesting,” Rossi said.
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“We’re finally just executing at our potential.”
Kiwi Scott Dixon was third for Chip Ganassi Racing and followed by pole sitter Newgarden.
O’Ward of McLaren was fifth, reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou of Ganassi was sixth and followed by teammate Ericsson.
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