Will Power grew up in Australia having older brother Nick push him around in a small plastic race car trying to emulate the moves of their father, a Formula 2 racer on the weekends.
Sometimes little Will would win. Sometimes he’d lose.
Even as a kid Power knew there wasn’t always a fairy tale ending waiting at the checkered flag. It’s a lesson he’s kept with him during his successful - if increasingly nomadic - career.
Finding himself out of a job, he caught on at Penske Racing, where he agreed to fill in while Penske Racing star Helio Castroneves went to trial on tax-evasion charges.
The job could have been for the entire season. It could have been nothing. To be honest, Power didn’t really know what he was getting into.
“Even knowing the situation I was going in to, I would have done anything to be on this team,” he said. “I wanted to at least get a foot in the door and show them I’m capable of doing the job.”
He found out during qualifying that Castroneves had been acquitted and was heading west for the race. All Power did was put the car on the pole even though he knew he wasn’t going to drive it in the race. That show of professionalism won over Castroneves and budding Penske Racing star Ryan Briscoe.
“I didn’t expect to be racing any more races,” Power said. “Roger said ‘You’ve done a good job and we’re going to put you in five or six more races (in a third Penske car).’ I was very happy to get that. It’s great when you get things that you don’t expect.”
Power’s patience was rewarded in Edmonton. He captured the pole and then went on to lead 90 of 95 laps to pick up his first IndyCar win.
His first call after the race was to his father in Australia, who watched Power hold off Castroneves and Scott Dixon over the final laps.
“He was probably happier than I was,” Power said. “He feels I should have a full-time ride in IndyCar. He feels I deserve one.”
A job may be closer than he thinks. He’ll run at Sonoma next week and Homestead at the end of the season. If he continues to improve - particularly on ovals - there’s a chance he could stay on with Penske as a third driver. Maybe.
“I’ll do whatever I have to,” Power said. “I really don’t care where I’m at as long as I’m in IndyCar.”
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