Will Power, the two-time IndyCar series champion known for his competitive spirit, is moving forward with fresh focus after parting ways with Team Penske. After a highly successful seventeen-year collaboration that produced 42 wins and 71 pole positions, Power’s transition to Andretti Global marks a new era in his storied career, with no lingering friction between him and his former boss, Roger Penske, despite speculation in the racing community.
The rumor mill stirred with talk that Power may harbor resentment after leaving the iconic organization, but Power and those close to the situation are quick to dispel such narratives. Media headlines suggesting bitterness, such as
Will Power Bitter After Penske Split
, miss the truth. Instead, Power’s story is marked by mutual respect, gratitude for opportunities given, and a down-to-earth approach to the next chapter of his career.
Parting Gift Highlights Mutual Appreciation
Before his departure, Power was honored by his longtime colleagues at Team Penske with a commemorative plaque featuring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a tribute underscoring their respect for his contributions.
“Everyone on the team signed it, except Roger,”
Power recalled, before adding,
“Maybe they didn’t get it to him.”
Power was quick to clarify that there was no slight intended:
“He didn’t say, ‘No, I’m not signing it.’ I just want to clear that up. He did not say, I’m not signing it.”
Playfully, he pointed out the media’s tendency to dramatize:
“I know what you guys are like, it’s like, ‘oh, it’ll be a headline!’”
Power even imagined the phone call with Penske about the plaque, underscoring the lighthearted and professional nature of their relationship. Though the plaque remains unsigned by Penske, Power intends to have him sign it at one of the upcoming races, a testament to their enduring connection.
No Bad Blood: A Career Built on Trust and Gratitude
Addressing the circumstances that led to his departure from Team Penske, Power offered heartfelt gratitude and clarity.
“The relationship is good. I’ll always be grateful for what he did for my career and what he’s done for the sport.”
He expanded,
“Man, Roger gave me a great career. 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,”
Power noted, showing appreciation for the offer but openness to change. He reiterated,
“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 emphasized his desire for a longer commitment and the personal growth he expects with a new team. Power summarized his ambition,
“I’d definitely like to beat him, but I want to beat everyone. We’ve got to go out and win races.”
With optimism, he promised,
“I’ll get him to sign the plaque.”
Transitioning to Andretti Global and Embracing New Teammates
Moving to Andretti Global, where he joins Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood, Power asserts that the transition has been seamless.
“It feels normal. It’s just business as normal for me. It’s about competition.”
Despite the change from Chevrolet to Honda and the shift in organizational culture, Power quickly found his stride, focusing on familiar routines with engineers and on-track performance.
“You’re in a team. You’re trying to get the most out of the car and working closely with the engineers. You’re on the Honda sim, all the same stuff. You’re not really distracted by ‘I wonder what they’re doing at Penske’ or ‘It’s strange.’ Not that difficult. It’s just a part of my life now.”
With the addition of Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood as teammates, Power finds himself in the midst of a high-caliber group poised to challenge for new victories, all under the Andretti Global banner.
Team Adjustments and New Sponsorships Drive Innovation
Adapting to new surroundings became apparent during IndyCar Content Days, when Power nearly picked up a Verizon racing suit—now belonging to David Malukas. But the adaptation extends beyond the superficial, as Power prepares to leverage Andretti’s fresh partnership with TWG AI, his new primary sponsor. The collaboration aims to harness artificial intelligence to improve race preparation, strategy, and execution, with Power positioned as the figurehead translating these advanced technologies into results. TWG AI describes his role as
translating intelligence into outcomes, integrating real-time insight, predictive modeling, and continuous feedback
to fine-tune race performance.
“Racing is about making the right decisions at the right moment, with no margin for hesitation. The partnership with TWG AI is focused on building intelligence that actually fits how we race. We can embed intelligence into every competitive decision we make and create tools that help the team perform when it matters most,”
Power said in the announcement. Discussions with TWG AI have already begun, with Power noting,
“have been working with the engineers, so we’re definitely going to utilize our relationship with them, trying to create some good programs for the engineers to be able to understand what direction to go very quickly.”
The specifics are still under wraps:
“can’t go into too much detail of what that entails, but it’s very good stuff.”
Enjoying the Challenge and Refusing to Slow Down
Despite approaching his mid-forties, Power’s passion for racing remains undiminished.
“I just love competing. I love doing this. It’s really enjoyable. I’ve got a ton of experience. It would be a pity to stop when you’re really still on top of your game. A lot of work, 20 years of work, 20 years of IndyCar racing and still able to win races and poles. It’s just very difficult to do in this series. That’s sort of why I keep going,”
Power affirmed, countering speculation about retirement. The new environment, enriched by advanced analytics and data-driven insights, gives Power even more motivation to extend his remarkable career.
Having recently completed a test session in his new Andretti car, Power is eager for more.
“Yeah, can’t wait to get in the car, get on track when everyone else is there. Definitely had a huge list of things that we want to test. I think we’ll make a nice jump. I think we’ve got some really good stuff.”
A Vision for the Future, Grounded in Competition
As Will Power’s career enters a fresh phase with Andretti Global, the legacy of his long partnership with Team Penske and Roger Penske remains an influential part of his story. Power’s determination, openness to technological progress, and sportsmanship promise to keep him at the forefront of IndyCar racing for seasons to come. His journey from established veteran under “The Captain” to a leading competitor in a new organization sets a compelling example for emerging drivers. The collaboration between Team Penske and Will Power endures in spirit, while Andretti and new technical partnerships, such as TWG AI, provide the tools to chase down even greater victories on tracks across America.
