Will Power victory in Portland tightens IndyCar title race
With just three races left, Will Power and Team Penske sent a powerful statement on Sunday by winning the 2024 Portland Grand Prix, proving that the competition for IndyCar’s Astor Challenge Cup is not from over.
With three races left, Power narrowed the distance between himself and championship leader Alex Palou by winning his third race of the 2024 IndyCar season. Power easily defeated Palou, finishing 9.8267 seconds ahead of the latter.
Power remarked over the radio, “Nice job, guys,” after he crossed the finish line. “There’s a little more interest in things.”
Power put on a faultless performance to secure his victory, which was his 44th career triumph. He led 101 of the 110 circuits after starting second and passing pole-sitter Santino Ferrucci at Turn 1.With just three races left, Will Power and Team Penske sent a powerful statement on Sunday by winning the 2024 Portland Grand Prix, proving that the competition for IndyCar’s Astor Challenge Cup is not from over.
With three races left, Power narrowed the distance between himself and championship leader Alex Palou by winning his third race of the 2024 IndyCar season. Power easily defeated Palou, finishing 9.8267 seconds ahead of the latter.
Power remarked over the radio, “Nice job, guys,” after he crossed the finish line. “There’s a little more interest in things.”
Power put on a faultless performance to secure his victory, which was his 44th career triumph. He led 101 of the 110 circuits after starting second and passing pole-sitter Santino Ferrucci at Turn 1.
After the race, Power told NBC Sports, “Very rewarding.” “The entire team and I arrived here with determination. Our goal was to qualify well and perform well in the race. It’s hardly a desperate attempt, but it was going to be incredibly tough if Palou finished before us today.
Palou caught up to Ferrucci on lap eight, but was unable to challenge Power for the lead. Power increased his lead with a speedy pit stop on lap 32, and the lead was further solidified by Palou’s lengthy stop one lap later.
Palou said, “Maybe we were a bit wrong with the strategy there,” in reference to the tactical error that cost him the victory. Although catching Will in the primaries was difficult, the No. 12 today deserved it.
