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| Team Penske now has a race winning champion in this formally winless season with current contract ending driver Will Power - imagine that. Image Credit: James Black via NICS (2025) |
Will Power
Triumphs At Portland, Secures First 2025 Win For
Team Penske
Amid Uncertain Future
Will Power delivered a commanding performance at the
BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland presented by ask ROI, clinching his first victory of the
2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES
season and Team Penske’s inaugural win of the year. The triumph, Power’s 45th
career victory, solidified his place as the fourth-winningest driver in
INDYCAR history and provided a much-needed boost for Team Penske after a
challenging season. The race also saw
Alex Palou
secure his fourth championship with a podium finish at P3, locking up the 2025
title in a three-peat (2021, 2023, 2024) with two races remaining at
Milwaukee Mile
and
Nashville Superspeedway.
Power’s win at
Portland International Raceway
was a masterclass in strategy and pace, as he capitalized on a bold call by
his engineer to stay out and lead, avoiding a pit stop that could have cost
him the race. “I got to push as hard as I could for the whole race,” Power
said during the post-race press conference. “It was a Team Penske-type day,
man. When we’re put in the position, we can win.” The decision to use
red tires
in the second stint allowed Power to pull a significant gap, showcasing the
team’s strategic acumen and his own relentless drive.
The victory was especially poignant given Team Penske’s tumultuous 2025
season, marked by struggles on road courses and a significant setback in May,
which Power and newly appointed Team Penske President
Jonathan Diuguid
acknowledged but did not dwell on. “It’s been a rough year on many fronts,”
Power admitted, but he emphasized the team’s resilience. “The capability has
been there every weekend. It’s just been one of those years.”
Diuguid, in his first season as president, praised the team’s efforts to
“right the ship” after a string of disappointing results. “Will did an amazing
job today,” Diuguid said. “A little bit of a risky strategy, exposed to
yellows a lot of times. They didn’t come. Will had an extremely strong pace.”
The win, he noted, was a testament to the dedication of the team, which has
averaged seven wins per season over the past three years but had struggled to
convert potential into results in 2025.
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| Liz Power shares a special moment with her husband, Team Penske first time team season race winner, Will Power in Victory Circle. Image Credit: Chris Jones via NICS (2025) |
The post-race atmosphere was one of camaraderie, with mechanics from rival teams like Andretti and Ganassi congratulating Power’s crew, reflecting the tight-knit nature of the INDYCAR paddock. “I was happy for everyone, man,” Power said. “As I drove down pit lane, many teams were happy to see us get a win there.” The victory was a collective triumph for Team Penske, with Power’s teammates and engineers joining him in Victory Lane to celebrate.
However, Power’s future with Team Penske remains uncertain, as he has yet to
secure a contract for
2026. When asked if the win solidified his place with the team, Power was candid:
“I have no clue. I don’t know.” He expressed confidence in his abilities,
stating, “I’m driving the best I ever have. I’m not slowing down. I am
faster.” His performance at Portland, out-dueling championship-caliber drivers
like Palou, underscored his enduring skill and racecraft. “If you’re waiting
on me to know if I’m good enough, just go back to last year and you’ll fucking
know,” Power quipped, referencing his three wins in 2024.
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| Podium celebration for the at the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland presented by ask ROI from left to right - P2 Arrow McLaren No. 7 driver Christian Lundgaard, P1 Team Penske No. 12 driver Will Power, and through this P3 finish, 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Chip Ganassi Racing No. 10 driver Alex Palou. Image Credit: James Black via NICS (2025) |
Diuguid sidestepped questions about Power’s future, focusing instead on the team’s momentum heading into the final two races. “Will’s future is about 30 minutes old from winning a race,” he said. “His future’s definitely bright.” With Milwaukee Mile, a track Power noted as a strength for Team Penske, up next, the team is poised to build on this success.
The race also highlighted ongoing discussions about INDYCAR’s blue flag rule, which Power found frustrating when lapped cars impeded his progress. “It’s very frustrating when you’re trying to win a race and you have to use a lot of push to pass to get around a car that’s going to go a lap down,” he said, acknowledging the complexity of enforcing such a rule but advocating for a fairer fight among leaders.
As the 2025 season nears its conclusion, Power’s Portland victory serves as a
reminder of his and Team Penske’s enduring potential. “Never count out Penske,
man,” Power declared, a sentiment echoed by the team’s performance on a day
that saw them reclaim their place in Victory Lane. With two races left, Power
and Team Penske are focused on finishing strong, while the question of his
future looms large.
... notes from
The EDJE
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TAGS: Will Power, Team Penske, Portland Grand Prix, INDYCAR 2025, Alex Palou,
championship, Jonathan Diuguid, victory, contract uncertainty, blue flag
rule, Milwaukee Mile, Nashville Superspeedway, Motorsports Journal, The
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