It’s been an IndyCar season of ups and downs so far for Andretti Global’s Will Power. However, hope is on the horizon for the Aussie as the grid heads to Barber Motorsports Park, a favorite track for the No. 26 pilot. Ahead of the race weekend, Will Power spoke to Pit Debrief and other media outlets about past performances at Barber and tackling the track with a new team.
A familiar stomping ground for Power
As the NTT IndyCar Series heads to Alabama, Will Power returns to a familiar track. In past seasons, Power has performed well at Barber, winning the race in 2011 and 2012.
Speaking to Pit Debrief and other media ahead of the weekend, Power discussed the differences in track types across the season thus far, and how he’ll approach the weekend. “It’s certainly a flowy track, very different to what we just came from,” Power commented.
“Very different to, like, St. Pete.
“It’s going to be an interesting weekend for me. It’s the first time I’ve driven this thing on a road course, like a fast-flowing road course. I’m very interested to see where we stack up, if there’s any work to be done. Every year you come back, it’s more competitive. We kind of know that.
“It is a track I really enjoy. It’s a track I’ve had a ton of success at. Always expect to be the pointy end there.”
Will Power focusing on Friday practice at Barber
Thus far in 2026, the Aussie driver has yet to test his No. 26 Andretti on a permanent circuit, as the series has only raced on street courses and ovals thus far in the 2026 IndyCar season. And Barber Motorsports Park poses a unique challenge for the drivers. With its changes in elevation and fast-flowing tempo, it will be a test for the No. 26 team.
Power spoke about what he and the team will be focusing on to prepare for the Barber weekend.
“Friday is going to be pretty important because it’s the first time I’ve driven this car in sort of road course form. So it will be very much evaluating what is the setup like, how is it, what do we need to do to be on the pace.
“Yeah, it will obviously be not much running to get everything sorted.
“I was right at the front. Very similar pace to me with my previous team. Yeah, it will be very interesting to me. I really want to know what it feels like on a road course”
The perfect lap at Barber
With 18 IndyCar seasons under his belt before 2026, Will Power is no stranger to the technicalities of a lap around Barber. However, it’ll be even more important for the 45-year-old to nail a lap around the track this weekend, as it’s his first visit with a new team.
When asked how to land the perfect lap around such a unique track, Power stated that it was a focus on the little things.
“Spent a lot of time at that track over the years, but so has everyone. The little details do matter. You definitely get down to very fine details and different lines you can take, how you approach the track.
“I feel like I know it well now. I know how to extract time. Because it’s a new team, car, I don’t quite know how that car will feel there. It probably makes it a little easier because I know so many details about the track and how to be fast there.
“I was very quick there last year. It will be more about me giving good feedback to the team to get ourselves in a good window of car set-up.”
It’s all there for Andretti
The 2026 IndyCar season hasn’t been an easy one for Will Power, but after a podium in Arlington, things seem to be looking up. Additionally, joining a new team after a long tenure can come with growing pains. When asked by the media about what he’s learned from his team so far that could help get them to the front consistently, Power was quick to state that they already had what they needed.
“The thing that I’ve picked up, which literally walking around the team within a day the first time I went to the shop when everybody is working there, they’ve got everything they need to win. It’s there.
“It’s a matter of putting a good weekend together.
“They are a top, top team. Like there’s nothing that says to me that they’re not a team that can win a championship. In some respects they have more resource than where I came from. They’re very smart people.
“It’s no surprise to me now that I’ve been there that we are at the front. Like, I’m finding myself being able to be in the top five each weekend.
“This will be another track for us to see where do we actually stack up. Very happy about being there. I really am.”
