Will Power led 78 of 110 laps to win the IndyCar Grand Prix of Portland. It was his second straight win at Portland, but his first win overall since last year’s running. In that timeframe his future at Team Penske has come into question, but Power said the win showed “I’m driving the best I ever have”.
“I’m not slowing down.[…] I am faster. My toolbox is still big as far as understanding the cars, race craft, all that.[…] I never stop working at it. It’s a passion. I love it. That’s why I’m still winning.”
Power credits his engineer for pulling off Portland IndyCar win
Power, leading all Penske drivers at sixth in points, credited a quick-thinking team call to stay on alternate tires—after outlasting all but one driver on his first stint—as a big factor in the win.
“[My] engineer decided that based on where we would come out. We came out pretty good, clear space [and] pulled another big gap. We came out on blacks [on the third stint], we’d have plenty of space to get up to speed, find the balance of the car. It was strategically a very smart race from the timing stand for me.”
Portland win “satisfying” after tumultuous season for Penske
Power attested that scoring Penske’s first win of the season “was just satisfying for the whole team, man. Just driving down pit lane, seeing each crew so happy we finally got a bloody win. Both teammates came to Victory Lane. I was just happy for the group because it was just an unusual year for us. It is not from a lack of performance. That capability has been there every weekend. It’s just been one of those years.“
Hoping for a strong finish to 2025 on the ovals
There are high expectations for the final races, on the ovals at Milwaukee and Nashville. The former of these was, until this past weekend, Penske’s most recent win, with Scott McLaughlin last season. Power and Penske will be going to the Milwaukee Mile with confidence.
“I feel like we’ll have three cars that can win[…] in Milwaukee.”
