Will Power’s season got off to a terrible start when he was taken out on the first lap at St. Petersburg and left Florida buried sitting 26th — next to last — in the championship with the No. 12 Team Penske Chevy.
The 44-year-old’s fortunes were looking just as dismal after the entire Penske team missed the target during qualifying for The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix last weekend. But despite starting 21st at a road course that doesn’t lend itself towards easy passing, Power used all 65 laps to scythe through the field and get his season back on track with a mighty run to sixth during a hot day with no caution periods.More IndyCar!Why Thermal proved too hot for some of IndyCar's hybrid units - but not othersFailed circuit breaker behind FOX blackout at ThermalIndyCar, Thermal weighing options post-race for 2026 return“Yeah, that’s a big day for the Verizon Chevy team considering it was full green,” Power said.
“They didn’t get any lucky yellows or anything. That was pure pace there. The guys had a great strategy and we had great speed.
I was really patient and methodical getting through the field. I think we’re all pretty disappointed with qualifying. I thought we certainly should’ve been in at least the top 10.
That’s racing.”Following St. Petersburg’s 26th with a sixth at Thermal has shot Power up to 14th in the Drivers’ championship, and he’ll need another strong run at the next races in Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park to jump de.