Will Power is just one more pole position away from equalling a name synonymous with motorsport – Mario Andretti.
The four-time IndyCar champion holds the record for the most starts from first in the history of the North American single-seater series with 67 to his name. Power has 66.
With three races remaining in the 2022 IndyCar season, the Team Penske pilot could conceivably draw level or even stand alone at the top of the ladder.
Stan Sport is the only place to watch the 2022 IndyCar Series. Continues August 20-21 with round 15 in St Louis with all the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand
From 14 races this year, Power has the most pole positions of anyone on the grid; three all told.
Speaking with Wide World of Sports, the IndyCar veteran said it’s surreal to have his name alongside the likes of Andretti.
“It’s extremely special,” said Power.
“It’s something I would have never imagined when I started this. Even as early as when I started racing Formula Ford and I decided I wanted to make it a career, I could never had imagined being in this situation.
“To be up there with names like Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt, I’ve got to pinch myself. It’s very cool.”
The Toowoomba-born driver has humble beginnings in motorsport.
What started out with weekends racing a Datsun at Morgan Park in Warwick quickly turned into something serious.
Formula Ford, Formula Holden and Formula 3 followed before going international.
A prolific race winner domestically, he found success almost immediately overseas.
In 2009, the all-conquering Team Penske came calling. After a part-time campaign that year, he’s been a full-timer with the team ever since 2010.
In that time, he’s scored 38 wins with Roger Penske, winning the championship in 2014 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2015.
At 41 years old, Power is showing no signs of slowing down.
He leads the series by just nine points over trans-Tasman rival Scott Dixon who he’s spent the lion’s share of his IndyCar career racing against.
Looking back, Power said he has to pinch himself.
“When I look at my career and the direction it took to get here, I’m just very fortunate to have had the career I’ve had,” he said.
“If I had said that 20 years ago that I’d be in this position, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
The IndyCar Series continues at World Wide Technology Raceway in St Louis on August 21 at 8am (AEST) with coverage live, ad-free and exclusively on Stan Sport.
ALL-TIME INDYCAR POLE POSITIONS (1930-2022): Mario Andretti (67), Will Power (66), AJ Foyt (53), Helio Castroneves (50), Bobby Unser (49), Rick Mears (40), Sebastien Bourdais (34), Dario Franchitti (33), Michael Andretti (32), Scott Dixon (28)
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