Power Makes Good On Off-Season Promise At Sebring Test

Source: Chris Owens/Penske Entertainment / other

SEBRING, Fla. — Last month, Will Power made the statement that he intends to remain competitive in the NTT IndyCar Series for at least the next five years.

Mind you, Power is pushing 44 years old.

Power navigated the twists and turns of Sebring International Raceway on Tuesday as if he was a man without age as he topped the speed charts leading what was a strong showing in one last pre-season test before the season begins in less than two weeks.

“It’s funny, after a couple of days back in the car, you feel right at home, back to the same old stuff, and going through the same old changes and just confirming stuff,” Power said. “I know it so well now, but it always changes. It’s never the same. So, you’ve got to be on your toes, super-tightfield.”

Power was fourth in the championship last year, now three years removed from winning his second IndyCar title. He was joined by teammate Josef Newgarden right behind him. Power’s chart-topping performance for the weekend came on the second day of testing after Team Penske opted to not put much work in on Day One.

The first day belonged to the driver who is 19 years younger than Power.

Pato O’Ward, now fresh off finishing 5th in the championship in 2024, was the fastest on Monday.

“Oh, man, it’s the best feeling in the world; it’s the best job in the world,” O’Ward said. “I was so excited to come back to Sebring and get into a car, getting to work with the engineers again. It definitely feels like home, and it’s a second family to me. So always excited to get rolling.”

Also impressive among the two days of testing were Marcus Armstrong, who was fourth quickest now in his brand new Meyer Shank ride, and Nolan Siegel who was fifth quickest in his Arrow McLaren ride.

The test was also the first time we got a glimpse at the PREMA Racing crew, which was led by the veteran driver of that stable in Callum Ilott. He was eighth quickest. Conor Daly also impressed in his new full-time Juncos Holinger ride. He just cracked the top ten on the chart.

Some noticeable concerns were at the bottom of the speed chart as well. Marcus Ericsson, who is coming off a lackluster season, was the slowest of the two testing days. Graham Rahal, David Malukas, and Scott McLaughlin also failed to run inside the top twenty.

But, the thing to remember is that this was a testing session and not a full-on practice. This means an infinite amount of agendas may have been on the board for each team and for any particular driver.

The real gauge on the drivers and teams will be when practice opens at St. Petersburg just two weekends from now.