Will Power of Team Penske is approaching the Iowa IndyCar double-header this July with a sense of uncertainty, amid a major tire and team situation shake-up. The two races—SYNX 275 on July 12 and Farm to Finish 275 on July 13—will take place at Iowa Speedway, a venue recently tested by several IndyCar teams. During that test, Christian Rasmussen from Ed Carpenter Racing suffered a blown right front Firestone tire, prompting the introduction of a new right front tire for the weekend’s events.
Power expressed caution about the weekend ahead, noting he is unsure how the updated tire compound will affect car handling and race strategy across the packed schedule.
“Well, I don’t think it will change all that much from what we felt when there, unless the tire is significantly different. I mean, I’m guessing they just made it a bit harder. They probably made it a bit harder, so it’s probably gonna make it more of an up or more understeer. It’ll be interesting. I really don’t know what to expect. You know, because its hard when not everyone is out there, dirty air counts for a lot. You know you lose a lot of grip and I think the track’s degraded a bit.”
—Will Power, Team Penske Driver
Recent Performance and Struggles Highlight Pressure on Power
The 2025 IndyCar season has been a difficult one for Team Penske and Will Power in particular. After ten rounds, Power sits ninth in the drivers’ championship with 202 points, having earned one pole position, four top-five finishes, and five top-ten results. However, recent races have exposed mechanical and performance issues that add pressure on Power heading into Iowa.
Most notably, at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, Power’s campaign took a major hit when an engine failure forced him to retire early from the event. Starting 22nd on the grid, Power exited on lap 12 after experiencing a misfire that worsened throughout the race.
“An engine failure there. I got hit at the start as well, which should damage the floor, but I think it was going to be okay. It didn’t feel like it’s handling badly. After the first pit stop I felt a misfire in the engine and it kept getting worse. Oh, man. Tough, tough year.”
—Will Power, Team Penske Driver
His frustration cuts across Team Penske’s entire roster, with teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden also confronting challenges this season. McLaughlin, however, did claim the 2024 Iowa Grand Prix win, showcasing potential that Power hopes to match or improve upon during the upcoming double-header.
Implications for Will Power and Team Penske at Iowa
The double-header format at Iowa Speedway offers both opportunity and challenge, given the relentless schedule and evolving tire situation. Power’s hesitation about the right front tire and track conditions signals the difficulty in adapting to the current environment. With the track surface reported to have degraded since testing and dirty air playing a significant role in car performance, race strategy and vehicle setup will be critical.
How Power rebounds from his recent setbacks will be a focal point as the team aims to regain momentum in the championship fight. The double races on consecutive days create added physical and mechanical strain, potentially influencing the team’s approach to risk and aggression on track.
Ultimately, the Iowa double-header could prove decisive in shaping Will Power’s trajectory through the remainder of the IndyCar season and Team Penske’s hopes for championship contention.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is will power a real thing?
A. Psychologists describe willpower, also known as self-control, more precisely. They explain it as the skill to resist short-term urges to achieve future goals.
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