Will Power secured his second straight win at Portland International Raceway on Sunday, but the Australian driver remains uncertain about his future in the NTT IndyCar Series with Team Penske for 2026. After his victory at the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland, Power admitted he has no clarity on what lies ahead, highlighting the ongoing question about whether he will continue with Penske next season.
Addressing his contract situation, the 44-year-old driver said plainly,
I have no clue. I don’t know. Yeah, nothing else to say, man. I don’t know,
—Will Power, post-race remarks.
Team Penske Leadership Remains Tight-Lipped on Power’s Contract Status
Jonathan Diuguid, recently promoted to Team Penske President, avoided giving any insights about Power’s potential contract extension. Speaking to reporters after the race, Diuguid focused on celebrating the team’s performance rather than speculating on driver lineups. He stated,
Look, I’m not going to discuss that today. I’m going to focus on the win, the team performance. Winning can do a lot of things. It’s very positive for our program. We’re going to reap all the benefits of that as we head to Milwaukee.
—Jonathan Diuguid, Team Penske President.
Power’s Accomplished Career and Broad Support Within the IndyCar Community
Power’s legacy in IndyCar is well established, boasting 45 career wins, ranking fourth all-time, alongside two series championships earned in 2014 and 2022, and his iconic 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory. Despite the uncertainty about his seat with Penske, his reputation ensures he has options should the team or he decide to part ways.
His recent win at Portland was warmly received throughout the paddock, reflecting the close-knit nature of the IndyCar community. Power described the positive atmosphere following his victory:
Both teammates came up, all the engineers, all the crews came up. As I drove down pit lane, many teams happy to see us get a win,
—Will Power.
He further explained the camaraderie within the sport’s competitive environment:
I think what’s happened to the team this year, probably the situation I’m in, as well. It’s a tight-knit community, the IndyCar paddock. It really is,
and added,
I have to say I really have got to know a lot of people from every team in the paddock. I have so many friends in that paddock, I feel like, to have done this for this long and know that many good people. Everyone looks out for each other even though we compete against each other. Nice feeling.
—Will Power.
Race Strategy and a Remarkable Performance at Portland
During the Portland race, Power was able to push aggressively throughout, diverging from the usual fuel-saving tactics often necessary in IndyCar racing. He praised the decision made by his engineer to keep him on track longer rather than pitting early, allowing him to lead and ultimately secure the victory.
Reflecting on the race, Power said,
a nice day, because I got to push as hard as I could for the whole race, which usually that’s fuel save. I was glad my engineer picked that strategy. He was going to pit me. Then he said to stay out, to be a leader. Had faith that I’d had a lot of pace. It’s a Team Penske-type day, man. When we’re put in the position, we can win. It’s obviously been a rough year on many fronts. Yeah, very nice to get a win.To me it was business as normal, honestly. I’ve been in that position so many times in my career,
—Will Power.
He emphasized his current form, stating,
“I’m driving the best I ever have. Simple as that. I’m not slowing down. I am not slower. I am faster. My toolbox is still big as far as understanding the cars, race craft, all that. That’s me. I guess I’m different to some people. I never stop working at it. It’s a passion. I love it.”
That’s why I’m still winning.
The Larger Picture: What’s Next for Will Power and Team Penske?
Will Power’s back-to-back victories demonstrate his ongoing competitive edge and passion for racing, yet his future with Team Penske remains unresolved as the calendar advances toward the 2026 season. With Roger Penske’s team showing the capability to win when resources and strategy align, the status of a veteran star like Power will be an intriguing storyline to follow.
Given his track record and standing among the top drivers in IndyCar, Power is well-positioned should he seek opportunities beyond Team Penske. Additionally, the sense of community within the paddock underlines the respect and support he holds across multiple teams. How this situation unfolds could impact not only Power’s career trajectory but also the competitive balance in the IndyCar field moving forward.