Will Power of Team Penske is entering the upcoming Will Power IndyCar Iowa double-header with a mix of uncertainty and cautious anticipation following recent tire issues during pre-race testing. Two weeks before the races at Iowa Speedway, Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing experienced a right front Firestone tire failure, prompting Firestone to introduce a newly constructed right front tire for all teams competing in the events.
Iowa Speedway will host two back-to-back contests, the SYNX 275 on Saturday and the Farm to Finish 275 on Sunday, scheduled for July 12 and 13 respectively. Power expressed his reservations about the revised tire’s impact, acknowledging the difficulty in predicting vehicle performance under the altered conditions and evolving track surface.
“Well, I don’t think it will change all that much from what we felt when there, unless the tire is significantly different. I mean, I’m guessing they just made it a bit harder. They probably made it a bit harder, so it’s probably gonna make it more of an up or more understeer. It’ll be interesting. I really don’t know what to expect. You know, because its hard when not everyone is out there, dirty air counts for a lot. You know you lose a lot of grip and I think the track’s degraded a bit.”
—Will Power, Team Penske Driver
Recent Challenges in the 2025 Season for Will Power and Team Penske
The current 2025 IndyCar season, ten rounds in, has been a difficult stretch for Will Power and his Team Penske colleagues, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin. Reliability and race incidents have repeatedly hampered their performances. Most recently at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, Power was forced to retire prematurely after 12 laps due to an engine failure, following a collision at the start of the race that likely damaged the car’s floor.
Power began the Mid-Ohio event from 22nd place, but a misfire worsening after his first pit stop forced his withdrawal. Reflecting on the event’s setbacks, Power demonstrated frustration with the ongoing technical difficulties shaking his campaign.
“An engine failure there. I got hit at the start as well, which should damage the floor, but I think it was going to be okay. It didn’t feel like it’s handling badly. After the first pit stop I felt a misfire in the engine and it kept getting worse. Oh, man. Tough, tough year.”
—Will Power, Team Penske Driver
Performance Overview and Standings Position Before Iowa
Currently ranked ninth in the drivers’ standings, Will Power has accumulated 202 points, securing one pole position, four top-five finishes, and five top-ten results through the first ten rounds of the season. Despite his teammates showing flashes of success—including Scott McLaughlin’s impressive victory in last year’s Iowa 250-lap Grand Prix race—Power’s 2024 performances have struggled to meet expectations.
The Iowa double-header offers both challenges and potential opportunities to regain momentum on a track that has posed difficulties due to tire degradation and changing grip levels. With Team Penske aiming to rebound, Power’s adaptation to the new right front tire and the evolving race conditions will be crucial for improving his standing as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is will power a real thing?
A. Psychologists explain willpower, or self-control, in detailed terms. They describe it as the ability to wait for rewards and resist immediate temptations to achieve future goals.
Q. Is will power a thing?
A. Most psychologists define willpower as the skill to put off immediate rewards to achieve future goals. It involves the strength to ignore unwanted thoughts, feelings, or urges.
Q. Is will power genetic?
A. Genetics play a role just like the environment does. Genetic differences can affect how much self-control a person naturally has and what challenges they face. Some people naturally choose healthy eating and hard work, making it easier for them to avoid temptations.
Q. Is Will Power good or bad?
A. The term willpower can have positive and negative meanings. For instance, we admire people who use willpower to achieve success.
However, if someone doesn’t show willpower, it’s often seen as a reason or excuse for failing to reach a goal.
