Will, you had the opportunity to test here on Monday, how much has that helped you today?
WILL POWER: Yeah, that certainly helped me. It helped with a lot, especially me, because I haven’t been here, you know. I needed to get some experience on this track. Obviously didn’t help us in qualifying there.
But, yeah, I think the key for us is really focus on the race tomorrow. Make sure to blow through it and don’t lose too many laps.
Q. Dario, the big question, talk about the bonus point that you got today?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: Yeah, they were talking about $10,000. I said I’d give the $10,000 back for another bonus point if I could get it right now. That’s very important. We said this week that will’s got a fairly serious advantage there. And the easiest way to do it, to take a bit out of the question, is to qualify pole with the most laps and win the race.
That’s going to be very, very difficult to do, but we’ve done the first step of that today. So we’ll just keep pushing tonight in practice and get ready for tomorrow night’s race, because I think it’s going to be ‑‑ what do they say ‑‑ a barn burner.
Q. If both of you could talk a little bit about what you would like your strategy to be? I know that it will all change once the race starts. But going into the race you kind of have a game plan on what you want to do. If you could talk about what you’d like to see done the first half of the race?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I’m not going to tell you my strategy, Bruce, come on. It would be nice to lead the whole race, but we’ll see what happens. There are so many unknowns; it’s just impossible to predict those things, I think.
WILL POWER: Yeah, lead from start to finish would be nice. But, yeah, like Dario said, certainly it’s going to be an interesting race, so…
Q. Could you have imagined a scenario a year ago where you’d be disappointed to qualify third for an oval race?
WILL POWER: Could I imagine that scenario? Well, yeah, I mean, if you drive for Penske, yes. Because, you know, given all the equipment, you start to win, starts to get poles. When you’re put in that position, it is disappointing when you don’t execute.
Q. Do you feel like the pressure’s on Will and not you? Chip was up here earlier saying he felt that it was on the 12 team to win it, and that you guys are chilling back there in a sense?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: Maybe Chip’s relaxed. There’s always a certain amount of pressure. I put pressure on myself. I want to win the championship. I really don’t know what Will’s going through. I don’t know what his mindset is and how much pressure he’s going through.
I always know I’ll go out there and do the same job I try to do every single week, and that’s all I can really do. So I don’t put anymore pressure on my self than I did last week or I did in Indianapolis or the first race of the season. I just do the same job that I’ve been doing.
It’s kind of boring, I know. But it’s been successful for me.
Q. If you do win tomorrow night it will be your third championship. There are not many drivers that have three. You’re not that old, but do you start to think about a place in history where a guy that wins three titles, multiple Indy 500’s, where that went?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: Let’s talk about that tomorrow night if it comes to pass.
Q. Scott kind of alluded to this. But how many times in your career have you kind of gone into a championship and been in this scenario where it came down to the last race whether it was growing up or whatever? How many times?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: One time before in junior racing. I’ve never been in this situation in a high profile series like this. Yeah, this is kind of new to me. But, again, it’s like every weekend, you got to go there to win the race. Try to keep all the B.S. out and just move forward.
Q. You’ve had quite an experience, and I’m going to ask Will. Are you relishing and savoring all the anxiety and tension that comes with being in the points championship, because it is part of what goes along with it, or is it something that’s like you want things to kind of slow down a little bit?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: No, I can’t say I’m really anxious or anything like that. I’m just focused on what I’m doing. I don’t think anyone really relishes anxiety. That’s terrible.
Q. Has your approach to winning a championship changed at all since 1999?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: I don’t think my approach has changed. I think because I’ve been doing it longer, I’ve really become a bit calmer in the car, which has allowed me sometimes to get just the best out of what I got, rather than trying to go one better and ending up in the stands.
I’ve definitely learned stuff over the years, no doubt. The trick is to keep the speed while having that kind of mindset as well, you I think.
Q. Dario, and will, this is setting up to be the title fight of the century. You guys have been spending a lot of time together the last couple of days, and you’re both trying to stop the other. Will he has something that you desperately want and you’ve worked your whole life for. Dario you’re trying to pad the numbers. You guys are sitting next to each other. I can’t imagine two heavyweight fighters doing that. How does that affect you knowing that the guy that’s right next to you is really trying to stop you from getting something that you really, really want?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: It’s a situation I think you get used to in racing. In IndyCar Racing when you’re sitting there with your teammates. I was sitting with Tony Kanaan, who I consider my best friend, and we’re sitting in meetings telling each other the secrets of the car and how to go fast. You know he wants to go out there and kick your ass, and I very well want to do the same thing to him. It’s something you get used to.
You know, we get along well. We’re going to save it for when we go out on the track and what we do on the track.
WILL POWER: I think it’s something you have to get used to. I know if you’re racing here, it’s very tough to be friends with someone you compete so fiercely with. But I think when you get to this level, you’re getting paid.
We’re all professionals and you sort of keep it on the track. I think you just learn that, and you get along with everyone.
Q. Tomorrow will you race to win the race or race each other to win the championship? What is your priority?
DARIO FRANCHITTI: My priority is obviously the championship. Probably the best way to do that is to win the race. So, again, I’m not going to be points racing tomorrow because I don’t see that working out for me.
WILL POWER: Yeah, it’s all about a championship. If that means winning the race, if Dario happens to have led the most laps, at that point I’ll be doing everything I can to win it. Maybe take some more calculated risks.
Q. Over the last several races since we’ve gone into the last oval section. Clearly, you had a lot of momentum through the road course section and everybody knew scrutiny was going to be on you for the last several races. While you’ve driven some of the best racing you’ve done this season in the last several races, it’s still not been good enough to keep Dario at bay through all of this. You’re a guy who focuses well on the car. Has this been a major distraction for you in order to stay focused on doing what you’re doing, having to deal with the PR aspect of, no, I’m doing my job? Has it been tough for you?
WILL POWER: No. PR, I’ve been doing since I came over here. The PR thing doesn’t distract me at all. It’s no problem. If that’s what your question was.
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