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Will Power, class and a whole lot of dignity
by Gary McDonald
photo: Jim Haines
Will Power, class and whole lot of dignity
12 July, 2009
Last week’s media release confirmation that Will Power is poised to drive the Penske Truck Rental entry in five upcoming IndyCar Series events is music to the ears of – or should I say, ‘justification’ to – the many Power supporters both in Australia and from around the world.
This weekend’s Honda Indy in Toronto signifies the first of these five races (others include Edmonton – July 26, Kentucky – August 1, Sonoma – August 23 and Miami – October 10), and marks a return to Power’s strength in temporary street circuits.
Power subbed for Penske Racing throughout the early part of the 2009 IndyCar Series, earning three top-six postings including a pole position and a second-place finish back in mid-April at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach – his last start on a temporary street circuit. Scotsman Dario Franchitti may well have won that race on the Southern Californian coastline, but it was the talented Australian in Power who deserved all of the accolades that day.
Not because of the way that the naturally-gifted Toowoomba-native drove his No. 12 Team Penske car flawlessly around the downtown temporary street circuit to finish runner-up to Franchitti, nor was it the fact that he performed this feat without any radio communication or telemetry transmission for almost the entire race.
It was the way that Power conducted himself outside of the car that impressed even the most-hardened motor racing critics.
Power is generally considered by many ‘Aussie’ motorsport fans as the quietly spoken - but fiercely determined - Team Australia driver who tears around the Gold Coast Indy track each October in his green and gold decaled car as he pursues that elusive Surfers Indy title.
But that was the Power of years gone by, sure that same steely determination is visible in the trademark wide-eyed glare, but these days the Indy cars are gone from Surfers Paradise, the 28-year-old no longer drives a green and gold car and there’s certainly no Craig Gore around to bank-role a Team Australia outfit.
When the US-based IndyCar Series and the Gold Coast race promoters failed to find any common neutral ground in the already tight IndyCar calendar, the A1GP leapt at the chance to fill the void left by the departing American open-wheel series.
In late 2008 the announcement of no Gold Coast IndyCar race for the next five years was quickly followed by the clarification of no Craig Gore and subsequently, no Team Australia – effectively ending Power’s immediate IndyCar future.
But Power was desperate to remain with the series he had performed so admirably in over the past few years.
The 2008 IndyCar season had been a healthy one; the warring parties of the Indy Racing League and Champcar (formerly CART) had finally laid down their weapons earlier that year, ending a sometimes spiteful, almost fatal war that spanned well over a decade. Throughout the bitter debate the heart of American open-wheel racing was the major casualty as it was initially ripped in two and then left to bleed unaided over what seemed an eternity as hordes of fans lost interest in the continual bickering and turned to the rapidly-increasing popularity of the NASCAR juggernaut in despair.
But with the treaty signed a single entity American open-wheel series brought anticipation to the 2008 season, and with it hope. Hope that the fans would return to nurture, this faint, but certainly beating ‘IndyCar Series’ heartbeat.
The resurrection of this new series from the ashes brought strong competition, and not just at the circuit. The drivers from the IRL and Champcar were, and still are, embroiled in a tight struggle away from the track as they clamber for limited seats. The opportunity for talented, but cash-strapped drivers further diminishes with the current worsening worldwide economy.
The teams themselves are feeling the brunt with many of the owners employing ‘ride-buyers’ (naturally less-talented drivers who bring in large amounts of sponsorship dollars to help fund a car’s operation in exchange for a ‘ride’ with the team).
Shortly after the Gore announcement Power received a lifeline, albeit a conditional one, but one that could propel his career prospects into the next stratosphere – a ride at the powerful, all-conquering Penske Racing.
An interesting situation had developed within the closely-knit confines of the Mooresville, North Carolina based team. In October of 2008, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves had been indicted on tax evasion and tax fraud charges, accused of using offshore accounts to hide millions of dollars in income from the US Internal Revenue Service.
In recent years Castroneves’ status had transformed into that of a super-star, a status that had been rapidly elevated in late 2007 following his crowning as the victor in the US version of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ series.
As details began to emerge over the indictment it was clear that Penske’s most experienced driver would be heading to the courts for a lengthy legal battle within the new year – effectively ruling out the charismatic Brazilian during the winter testing months and presumably the start of the 2009 IndyCar season.
Team principal Roger Penske is a man of firm beliefs, and at a press conference earlier this year substantiated that philosophy when he claimed that he “believes a man is innocent until proven otherwise”. And that’s why he stuck by his most experienced IndyCar driver throughout the entire tax evasion process, not because Castroneves had a contract to drive for the team in 2009, but because Penske Racing is a family, a dynasty, an organisation that thrives on professionalism – and one that looks after its own.
The deal for Power was a simple scenario. During Castroneves’ legalities Power would pilot the No. 3 Penske Dallara, and if and when Castroneves’ was exonerated Power would simply vacate the seat for the returning Castroneves. And should the worst-case state of affairs prevail for the hapless Castroneves then the ride would remain with Power.
So when the news filtered through mid-morning on the Friday at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach that Castroneves had been completely exonerated on six of the seven charges of tax evasion – the seventh charge of conspiracy had been deadlocked and ruled a mistrial and was later dropped by Federal Prosecutors – elation and relief reverberated around the entire IndyCar community gathered.
In life there are always winners and losers. And although the extremities between Castroneves’ possible outcomes are incomparable to that of Power’s – how can one ever put a price on freedom – you couldn’t help but feel for Power.
Whispers immediately began to circulate that Penske might run a third car for Power, and a carefully orchestrated press conference within the hour confirmed this, albeit once again with conditions.
Castroneves’ absolution meant that the energetic native of São Paulo was now free to swap his courtroom attire for that of a driver’s racing suit, and when relief quickly turned to joy Castroneves declared, “Instead of going to Disneyland, I want to go to Long Beach and race. Guys, I'm back to racing.”
And with that IndyCar’s most colourful participant was back.
But Penske racing was prepared; in fact they were always prepared for this. Brian Barnhart, president of Racing Operations for the IndyCar Series confirmed that there had been some contingency plans in place, both at the St. Petersburg and Long Beach events.
In a prepared statement Tim Cindric, president of Penske Racing announced that a third entry for Penske Racing would be entered for the Long Beach event – the No. 12 Team Verizon Wireless car – and that Will Power would be the driver of the car.
The agreement additionally stretched to the following month’s Indy 500 race, but not the ‘next-up’ Road Runner Turbo Indy 300 on April 26 at Kansas Speedway.
So how does Power respond to the questions he knows that the frenzied press will throw at him? With class and dignity of course!
“I’ve been aware that this (situation) could happen at any time,” claims Power with that unmistakable grin as reporters question as to the status of his ‘present mindset’ following the announcement of Castroneves’ imminent return.
“My approach has always been the same as (to) take it day-by-day and do the best possible job for the team. And yeah, I was ready for it so it’s no big shock for me.
“The team is great to work with and they always keep you well informed.”
Add to that the sincere, heartfelt comments in the nature of, “I’m happy for Helio (Castroneves) and his family. I couldn’t imagine what it was like going through that...This team’s made me feel welcome. It’s a first-class team... I really love working with these guys, and you never know what can happen in the future.”
And it’s because of that class and dignity, not to mention the talent to match, that Penske Racing has decided to include Power in its future with Roger Penske recently stating, “Will has done a terrific job for Penske Racing and he has earned the opportunity to compete in more races. Will is a great asset to the team and we are excited to have him compete at these additional five races in the Penske Truck Rental Indy car.”
In the up and down, sponsor-driven world of motorsport it’s encouraging to see someone like Power given a thoroughly deserved and realistic chance in a top quality racing team, and credit must be given to the powers to be at Penske Racing – notably the great Roger Penske himself - for providing Power with the opportunity to race in five of the upcoming IndyCar Series races.
There’s an old saying that nice guys finish last, but let’s just hope that this nice guy finishes first – in at least one of those five races!
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