Mechanical issues dash Will Power's hopes to win from pole
Will Power’s hope for a $100,000 bonus from the Circuit of the Americas for winning the IndyCar Classic from pole came to a grinding halt on Lap 46.
The 38-year-old Aussie was the dominant force of the day – leading held off Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi on many occasions throughout the day. Perfectly executed pitstops and an even quicker car allowed power to run virtually unchallenged the entire day.
Will Power’s hope for a $100,000 bonus from the Circuit of the Americas for winning the IndyCar Classic from pole came to a grinding halt on Lap 46.
The 38-year-old Aussie was the dominant force of the day – leading held off Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi on many occasions throughout the day. Perfectly executed pitstops and an even quicker car allowed power to run virtually unchallenged the entire day.
Alexander Rossi closed on him a few times, but Power never faltered and continued his blistering pace up front. The majority of the field started making their pitstops on Lap 41 while Power and Rossi waiting to make their final stops.
Fate turned the other way on Lap 44 when Felix Rosenqvist crashed coming off Turn 19, which brought out the race’s only yellow flag. The yellow forced Power along with second and third place runners Rossi and Scott Dixon to pit under the yellow when the bottom fell out.
After a procedural stop for tyres and fuel, the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet wouldn’t drive when the car dropped off the jack. The crew attempted to diagnose the issue but could not find a solution.
“I just released the clutch and it snapped,” said Power. “massively disappointed to lead all of those laps and work so hard over the weekend. The yellow didn’t get us – the driveshaft did.”
With the race clearly in his control, Power noted that there was some discussion to pit early but the race didn’t just go his way.
“I would have been keen to pit early, the could see better than I can,” he continued. “I was trying to cover Rossi I guess.”
Power was perhaps more despondent about the series closing the pits under yellow. IndyCar rules state that the pits close when the yellow flag flies and are opened when it is deemed safe.
“I hate the way the series does this pits closed BS,” he grumbled. “You could be the best guy and the yellow can fall a someone can fall in a hurry. We’re the only series in the world that does this and that needs to change.”
