Power’s surge makes race of IndyCar
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| Will Power |
| Adriano Manocchia/AR1.com |
A month ago, it appeared as if Dario Franchitti would run away with the IZOD IndyCar Series championship.
The three-time and reigning series champion held a 62-point advantage after the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. But three races later, Franchitti’s lead is just about gone.
After Sunday’s win in the Baltimore Grand Prix, Team Penske’s Will Power lurks five points behind the Chip Ganassi Racing driver with three races left.
“I have to have a very good next three races and I will be doing everything I absolutely can to make sure I do," Power said.
The 30-year-old Australian has accumulated the maximum number of points over the past two events. He won the pole, led the most laps and finished first Aug. 28 at Infineon Raceway and on Sunday on the streets of Baltimore.
With five of his six victories coming on road or street courses this season, Power will be the favorite to win on the road course at Twin Ring Motegi on Sept. 17. The season ends with oval races, Oct. 2 at Kentucky Speedway and Oct. 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I think I’m just mentally better this year … having been through what I went through last year," Power said.
He was in the same situation last season that Franchitti faces now.
Franchitti trailed Power by 23 points with three oval races remaining. Mistakes by Power at Kentucky and in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway allowed Franchitti to swoop in and win the championship by five points.
“To me in the championship, second means nothing. Second, third, fourth, fifth, who cares? I want to win," Power said. “It’s a disappointment to lose out by five points. The whole team felt like that, we had such a lead to lose. We’re determined this year.
“Anything can happen. But all we can do is control what we can control – be mistake-free, be quick in every session that we need to be quick in, like qualifying, and execute on race day. That’s what we’ve done for the last two races." Cincinnati.com