The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Power adjusts attitude, wins Indy 500
INDIANAPOLIS — Will Power can win anything now, even the Indianapolis 500, an intimidating race on an oval he hated because it marginalized his talent.
He drives for Roger Penske and nothing matters more to the boss than winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So Power worked to change his attitude, improve his performance on ovals and respect the track.
It got Power into the most storied winner’s circle in history Sunday when he won the Indy 500 to give Penske a 17th victory in “The Great American Race.”
Power actually swept the month of May at Indy after winning on the road course two weeks ago and the 37year-old Australian now has 34 wins in IndyCar, tying him with Al Unser Jr. for most on the career list.
“I can’t believe it!” he screamed in the winner’s circle. “I can’t believe it.”
Penske arrived in Indy with four fast Chevrolets, and an engine builder determined to snap Honda’s two-race Indy 500 winning streak.
The Chevys were the fastest cars in the field and Team Penske had four strong chances to win.
As Power held off pole winner Ed Carpenter to win his first Indy 500, the 81year-old Penske pumped his fist in the air and clapped for his driver.
Penske was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame earlier this month, and had a shot at closing Sunday with a victory in the CocaCola 600 in North Carolina.
“He won this race today because he was the best,” Penske said.
In the winner’s circle, Power could not contain his glee. He screamed to wife, Liz, took a sip of the traditional milk, then dumped the rest over his head and around his crew.
Liz Power reached for the empty milk bottle, then pointed out to her husband that he’d sprayed milk all over one of the Indy 500 princesses. He apologized, then screamed some more.
Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Sebastien Bourdais and Danica Patrick were among those who crashed in single-car spins.
Defending race winner Takuma Sato was also knocked out when he ran into the back of a slower car.