Power: “No other feeling like” winning the Indy 500

Written by Archie O’Reilly, Edited by Dan Jones

Credit: Matt Fraver

Will Power has admitted there is “no other feeling like” winning the Indianapolis 500 as on-track preparations for the 109th Running of the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' get underway with the annual April Open Test.

“It’s our Super Bowl,” said Power, who won the race in 2018. “It’s the history of this Speedway, the legends it’s created that have run this race, won this race. 

“There’s no feeling… you can’t explain it, when you walk out there on race day, you walk out to Gasoline Alley, to see that many people in the stands, the sound of it, the feel of it. You always have butterflies, always feel nervous before you get in the car.

“When you win it, there’s no other feeling like driving into Victory Lane here with that many people, doing the victory lap. An incredible place - incredibly difficult to win. When you do, it’s something you’ll never forget.”

Ahead of the two-day test, Power visited the newly-opened renovated Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum, which features multiple immersive displays.

“Man, I was in the museum, the Starting Line Experience,” he said. “It gave me goosebumps because you had the flyover, the national anthem, you had them singing ‘Back Home Again in Indiana’. There’s no event like it. 

“I think the longer I’ve done it, the more I’ve appreciated it. The amount of media attention over the month, how hard it is to get a pole position here... I’m the all-time pole position holder for IndyCar and I don’t have a pole at this place.

“I’ve been on the front row and I’ve been on the back row. It’s much harder doing the four laps to just get in the field than the four laps I did last year to get on the front row. Gives you a lot of respect for the place. It can certainly bite you.”

Credit: Joe Skibinski

Power was speaking at IMS following an announcement that his long-time primary sponsor, Verizon, has committed $6 million - alongside Team Penske and the NFL's Indianapolis Colts - to tackle veteran debt in Indiana.

“Huge day for Indianapolis, the community in Indiana,” said Andy Brady, president of the Verizon Great Lakes market. “Verizon has been a military-friendly company for a very long time. [The initiative] will effectively wipe clear all of the debt these men and women have. 

“This $6 million is important to the state of Indiana, but this is part of a larger commitment that Verizon is making across the Great Lakes market, with $22 million that we’re doing over the next two years. When these men and women get the letter that comes in the mail, the letter is real, don’t throw it away. It says your debt has been forgiven.”

There is a $4 million collaboration between Verizon and Penske across the 'Month of May' and an additional $1 million contingent on Power finishing next month’s Indy 500 in the top 10.

“When I think about the situation these people are in, it takes a huge amount of pressure off,” Power added. “You get sick or injured or something happens to you, you can’t help that. Fantastic initiative. I love the fact that if I finish in the top 10 I’ll add another $1 million. 

“I’m not planning on just finishing in the top 10, I’m planning on winning… that’s the goal. I’ll be doing everything I can to get that extra million bucks.”

Given the nature of the pageantry surrounding the Indy 500, the timing of the initiative is perfect.

“So much of the lead-up to the Indy 500 is celebrating those men and women who served, especially those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said J. Douglas Boles, president of IndyCar and IMS.

“To be able to partner with somebody like Verizon, with Will Power, an opportunity to really elevate the challenge that our men and women have that have served to pay some of these medical bills and thank Verizon for that, it’s really a special moment.”

Credit: Matt Fraver

Verizon, a title sponsor of the IndyCar Series between 2014 and 2018, has been with Power throughout his IndyCar career with Penske - a stint which has brought two championships in addition to Indy 500 success.

“It’s been an incredible partnership,” Power said. “What made it continue? It’s success. Partnering with Penske, when I think about it from a driving perspective, you’re given the opportunity week in, week out to have a car that’s capable of winning, getting pole positions, winning the Indianapolis 500, winning championships. 

“I’ve been very fortunate to have had Verizon on my car for this long because it is actually unusual in motorsport. I’m not sure what the longest-standing sponsorship partnership has been, but it’s been almost 17 years now. Very fortunate. I hope it continues. 

“I’m very proud to have Verizon on the car. Some of the stuff they do in the community is incredible. I feel lucky and privileged. I want to pay that back by performing in particular at this race, especially because it means giving another $1 million to the veterans.”

Verizon’s technology has also been integral to operations at IMS, ensuring fans remain connected and massive data demands during events are supported.

“It’s much more than a sponsorship,” Boles said. “It is a partnership. It truly is working together to solve problems. It’s really a partnership where together we’re learning, we’re testing their new technology, we’re allowing our customers to see it and we’re making the entire experience better. 

“Sponsorships come and go but partnerships stay a lot longer. I think as you treat this Verizon one more like a partnership than a sponsorship is part of the reason it’s so successful.”

And of course, at the heart of the partnership has been Power himself. 

“You’re a great person,” Brady said to Power, who was sitting to his left. “The fact that you’re successful in your craft, it’s a double whammy. We’re proud to have our name on your car.”