Team Penske driver Will Power, despite leading his team in the 2025 IndyCar season, is surrounded by speculation regarding his future with the organization beyond his contract’s end. As rumors circulate about possible replacements, Power outperforms his teammates, raising questions about Team Penske’s direction and decision-making in a season marked by internal challenges and shifting dynamics.
Power’s Entry into Team Penske Amid Past Uncertainties
Back in October 2008, Team Penske encountered crisis when their key driver, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, was indicted on federal income tax evasion charges. This legal situation forced team owner Roger Penske to consider potential replacements, with Will Power quickly rising as a top candidate. However, Power initially received no communication until just before Christmas that year, when he got the call to fill in while Castroneves awaited a verdict.
Power took over the No. 3 car at St. Petersburg, delivering a solid performance by both starting and finishing in sixth position. The team, uncertain of Castroneves’s fate, prepared three cars for Long Beach, in case their star driver was acquitted before the race. When Castroneves was cleared, Power transitioned to the No. 12 entry for the weekend, where he clinched second place behind Dario Franchitti. That year, Power showed his capabilities with a decisive win at Edmonton, which led to a full-time seat for the 2010 season.
2025 Season: Power Remains Penske’s Top Performer
Fast forward to 2025, and Will Power, now 44, is Team Penske’s standout performer during a challenging period for the historic organization. While Alex Palou has dominated the field, winning eight of the first fifteen races, the trio of Power, Scott McLaughlin, and Josef Newgarden have managed just a single win as a group—Power’s triumph at Portland—and a modest five additional podiums across the team.
Breaking down the performance, Power has added two more third-place finishes at the Indianapolis road course and Iowa Speedway Race 1. McLaughlin took third at Barber Motorsports Park, while Newgarden’s best results include third at St. Petersburg and second at Iowa Speedway Race 1. In season standings, Power sits sixth, with McLaughlin at eleventh and Newgarden at eighteenth. Collectively, the drivers have a combined seventeen finishes of twenty-second or worse, a tally reflecting the team’s broader difficulties.
Despite his status as the highest-ranked Penske driver and a consistent performer, speculation has grown that Power’s tenure could end once his contract expires after 2025. The rumors persist even as Power continues to outperform his fellow drivers.
The Factors Putting Power’s Future in Doubt
Several elements are fueling this uncertainty. One is Power’s age—he will turn 45 on race day in St. Petersburg in March 2026. For a high-performance sport like IndyCar, age inevitably becomes a subject in contract discussions. The other factor is the apparent succession plan linked to Team Penske’s technical alliance with A. J. Foyt Racing. Rumors indicate that either David Malukas or Santino Ferrucci, both associated with Foyt Racing, are positioned as his potential successors.
Historically, Team Penske has replaced drivers due to comparative underperformance. Helio Castroneves ended his streak as a full-time driver after finally halting his winless period, with McLaughlin eventually filling the No. 3 car. Before that, Josef Newgarden replaced Juan Pablo Montoya in 2017, even as Montoya placed eighth—lower than Penske’s other drivers, who ranked first, second, and third in the standings.
What distinguishes the current situation is that Power, unlike those previously replaced, leads the team in results and consistency.
Unique Circumstances and Tenure at Team Penske
Power’s journey with Team Penske is marked by resilience and loyalty. He joined amid a crisis and delivered strong performances during uncertain times, even overcoming serious injuries while representing the team. As a two-time IndyCar Series champion and a multiple-time runner-up, Power notably contributed to the team’s legacy and stability. Many observers believe that after such tenure and achievement, he deserves clear communication and respect regarding his future at Team Penske.
Rather than allowing speculation to cloud his final seasons, supporters argue that Power should be granted clarity—whether through a two-year extension, a one-year deal with options, or at minimum an upfront conversation before each season about his status as a driver. After bringing home two championships and four runner-up standings for Team Penske, Power’s substantial role in the organization stands in contrast to the current uncertainty and shifting priorities.
What Might Happen Next for Power and Team Penske
With less than a year remaining on his contract and the team’s performance lagging behind rivals like Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Penske faces a pivotal decision. If the alliance with A. J. Foyt Racing signals a readiness to promote new talent, Power’s future may rest on how the organization balances legacy, loyalty, and the desire for renewal. Regardless of age, Power has maintained his edge over both McLaughlin and Newgarden this season.
Questions continue about whether Team Penske views Power as part of their future or if a transition is already planned, as external pressures and history suggest. For Will Power, the coming months will determine whether he receives the send-off expected for a champion or faces an abrupt conclusion to a career defined by perseverance and performance.
