Will Power, the accomplished Australian driver, has yet to receive the final touch on Team Penske‘s farewell gift—a plaque signed by every team member except Roger Penske himself. During the IndyCar content days, Power reflected on the Team Penske farewell gift and the lingering absence of the principal’s autograph, a detail that has become both a talking point and a symbol of his 17-year connection with the legendary team.
The farewell plaque, featuring the Indianapolis Speedway and adorned with signatures from everyone within the organization except for Penske, was intended as a lasting memento of Power’s decorated time with the team. His achievements over nearly two decades included two championships, 65 pole positions, 42 race victories—among them the prestigious Indy 500—and countless memories that deepened beyond statistics.
Recalling the moment he received the plaque, Power shared his appreciation for the gesture and humorously addressed the missing signature from Roger Penske:
“Very last time I was in there, they actually called me and said, ‘We got something for you. Why don’t you come by the shop?’ And it was a plaque. I think it was of the Indianapolis Speedway, actually, and everyone on the team had signed it, except Roger (laughs). Maybe they didn’t get it to him. So yeah, that was nice.”
Will Power elaborated further during a press conference, clarifying that the absence of Penske’s signature was not intentional or a sign of any friction. He recounted the logistics that led to the oversight and joked about avoiding misleading headlines:
“I will say I was gonna put that plaque, that I was talking about Roger not signing that, I was going to get him to sign it at the [Daytona] 24 Hour, but I didn’t put it on the truck. I forgot to add that. I’m not saying he did not want to sign it. I was saying I would like him to. Because I know what you guys are like… your headline (laughs). So he didn’t say, ‘No, I’m not signing it.’ I just want to clear that up.”
“The team said you should put it on the truck and get Roger to sign when you’re at the 24, ‘coz he hadn’t been to the shop (laughs). I just want to make sure, ‘coz I can only imagine Roger calling, ‘What’s this? I didn’t even know about it.’ (I’d say) ‘Sorry, it’s the media, not me. Blame them.'”
Will Power’s Daytona Experience and New Chapter at Andretti Global
This year, Will Power made his Rolex 24 at Daytona debut with the 75 Express squad, racing in the GTD Pro class. Roger Penske, meanwhile, was present in the paddock, witnessing his Porsche Penske GTP team secure a third consecutive victory at the IMSA spotlight event. Although not directly racing against Penske’s top-tier cars, Power managed to finish on the podium in his class, further adding to the day’s significance.
Changing Teams and the Dynamics of Power’s Departure
Power’s departure from Team Penske was accompanied by uncertainty regarding his future and contract. Heading into 2025, negotiations between the team and the driver were protracted, with Power kept unaware of his contract status for close to a year, despite earlier assurances from former team president Tim Cindric of a timely resolution. When Team Penske ultimately presented a one-year extension with only two races left in the season, Power felt the offer came too late to alter his plans.
“Man, Roger gave me a great career,” Will Power said. “They just had this situation, he offered me a year. It wasn’t like, ‘You’re not coming back.’ He offered me to come back. But pretty far down the road at that point.”
Mutual Respect and Future Rivalry
Despite the complexity of his split with Team Penske, Will Power remains appreciative of the opportunities Roger Penske and the organization provided him. He emphasized ongoing respect for his former boss and the influential role Penske has played, both in his personal career and in the motorsport world. Power is now focused on proving himself with Andretti Global, eager for new challenges and eager to face his former team as a rival.
“Yeah, the relationship is good. I’ll always be grateful for what he did for my career and what he’s done for the sport. I was lucky to drive for that long, and I could have continued, but I wanted sort of a longer-term contract, and also for myself, I wanted to know what can I do on another team. Yeah, tremendous respect for Roger and the whole organization. I’d definitely like to beat him but I want to beat everyone. We’ve got to go out and win races. Yeah, I’ll get him to sign the plaque (laughs).”
Anticipation Builds for the Next IndyCar Season
Will Power will start his new era with Andretti Global at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1. The event will serve as a significant test, with the street race format potentially favoring Andretti’s cars. The upcoming season will see Power fiercely competing against Team Penske, seeking victories while carrying both gratitude and a competitive spirit into his next chapter. The question still remains whether Roger Penske’s signature will finally be added to Power’s cherished farewell plaque, completing a symbol of a remarkable partnership and transition.
