Power celebrated after nursing his tires to victory. Photo: IndyCar
Will Power took victory in Sunday’s Detroit Grand Prix, making his tires last just long enough to hold off Alexander Rossi on the final lap.
His win comes as redemption for last year’s race from Belle Isle, when a late red flag caused his Team Penske Chevy to get stuck on pit lane after it would not re-fire.
The loss of that chance at victory angered Power at the time, but he returned this year with a bit of a zen-like approach. That calmness helped him to drive smoothly and manage his tires to the end.
Speaking after the race, Power described how he was in the zone where nothing could cause him to make a mistake.
“It’s hard to get to that place,” said Power. “I used to be there a lot often when I was younger. But, yeah, it’s just one of those zones where everything’s clicking so well, you’re 100% in the middle, it’s that flow state.
“You can’t make a mistake. Just so much space there to play with it, you could say, like manipulate it. Hard to explain.
“But I would get in that state for qualifying often, pump out some pretty ridiculous laps. That was today. That was the race for me.
“Obviously very satisfying. Redemption from last year.”
Power’s win puts him back in the points lead, and continues one of the best starts to a season he has had in a few years.
He will look to carry that momentum to Road America, where he earned a podium last season.
Keyword: Power was in a ‘flow state’ for redemption drive