IndyCar: Will Power believes better qualifying will help him challenge for drivers championship
- Sean Fisher
- 15 July 2022
Currently just 20 points adrift from the leader, Chevrolet's Will Power is right to be eyeing up a second IndyCar championship.
Team Penske-Chevrolet's Will Power believes he can fight for the IndyCar championship as long as he improves his qualifying pace this season.
The 41-year-old is a veteran in IndyCar and boasts 64 pole positions throughout his career. But the Australian has had one too many errors in qualifying this year, and has found himself outside the top 12 on four different occasions.
Admittedly the grid is extremely close this year, with all nine races so far having nine different pole-sitters, but Power will be keen to end that pattern.
Thankfully for Power, his race pace has often come to his saviour, driving from 19th to fourth at Barber Motorsports Park, winning Detroit from 16th on the grid and finishing third at Mid-Ohio from stone last on the opening lap.
Still can’t believe we got to experience the best podium in motorsports. Always wanted to jump in the fountain, and finally was able to. #INDYCAR | #DetroitGP | #WP12 pic.twitter.com/oRODU24HOW
— Will Power (@12WillPower) June 6, 2022
That's where the points are won, and Power now finds himself second in the standings, just 20 points adrift from current leader Marcus Ericsson.
But improving his pace in qualifying sessions could close that gap even more.
"For me personally, I need to qualify better.
"It's not always been about pace. Last race it was just strategy and the lack of communication that got us. I actually feel like we would have definitely made it through to the Fast Six and potentially had a pole.
"Road America being P2 in practice, then not converting that in qualifying - that's the sort of thing we've got to be on top of.
Finally back to Toronto this weekend. This place has been good to me over the years. Got my third win here back in 2016.
— Will Power (@12WillPower) July 13, 2022
Can’t wait to see all the fans again! 🇨🇦#INDYCAR | #WP12 pic.twitter.com/ZOq10QbSw3
"I've just had a messy year of qualifying as far as being in the wrong place on track or not getting a big enough gap to the car in front, or simply not performing, not being fast enough. I've had all those situations.
"That's the area I need to improve on for the next half of this season. I think that will put me in a really good position, if I do."
IndyCar return to Toronto next for the first race since 2019. With just eight races remaining, Power will hope to close the gap to Ericsson, starting with a strong qualifying session.
