During IndyCar’s content days, Will Power revealed that the farewell plaque created by Team Penske in his honor remains unsigned by Roger Penske himself. The plaque, featuring signatures from every member of the team, was meant to commemorate Power’s remarkable 17-year partnership with Team Penske, which includes two championships, 65 pole positions, and 42 race wins, notably an Indy 500 victory. This keepsake reflects more than just statistics; it symbolizes a deep and meaningful relationship.
At 44 years old, the Australian driver expressed appreciation for the plaque but noted it had yet to receive Roger Penske’s signature. Reflecting on his final visit to the Team Penske shop, Power shared:
“Very last time I was in there, they actually called me and said, ‘We got something for you. Why don’t you come by the shop?’ And it was a plaque. I think it was of the Indianapolis Speedway, actually, and everyone on the team had signed it, except Roger (laughs). Maybe they didn’t get it to him. So yeah, that was nice.”
Power later revisited the topic in the press conference. When discussing IndyCar champion Alex Palou, Power humorously cautioned against media sensationalism regarding the unsigned plaque. He clarified that Roger Penske had not refused to sign it and said:
“I will say I was gonna put that plaque, that I was talking about Roger not signing that, I was going to get him to sign it at the [Daytona] 24 Hour, but I didn’t put it on the truck. I forgot to add that. I’m not saying he did not want to sign it. I was saying I would like him to. Because I know what you guys are like… your headline (laughs). So he didn’t say, ‘No, I’m not signing it.’ I just want to clear that up.”
“The team said you should put it on the truck and get Roger to sign when you’re at the 24, ‘coz he hadn’t been to the shop (laughs). I just want to make sure, ‘coz I can only imagine Roger calling, ‘What’s this? I didn’t even know about it.’ (I’d say) ‘Sorry, it’s the media, not me. Blame them.'”
Will Power’s Racing Return and Roger Penske’s Presence at Daytona
Will Power participated in his first Rolex 24 at Daytona this year, competing in the GTD Pro class with 75 Express. Roger Penske was also present at the event, where his Porsche Penske GTP team secured their third consecutive victory at this prestigious IMSA endurance race. Although Power’s entry was in a different class and not directly competing against Penske’s GTP cars, he performed strongly and finished on the podium in GTD Pro.
Reflecting on His Career and Relationship with Roger Penske
Power’s departure from Team Penske was marked by complexity rather than smooth closure. Heading into 2025, his contract status was uncertain for an extended period, with little clarity provided by the team despite former president Tim Cindric’s promise to finalize a deal well before the new season. Although Team Penske offered Power a one-year contract extension late in their final season together, the timing was too delayed to change his path.
Despite these challenges, Power voiced gratitude towards Roger Penske for the career opportunities he received, explaining on Wednesday:
“Man, Roger gave me a great career,” Will Power said. “They just had this situation, he offered me a year. It wasn’t like, ‘You’re not coming back.’ He offered me to come back. But pretty far down the road at that point.”
He further described the current state of their relationship and his own aspirations:
“Yeah, the relationship is good. I’ll always be grateful for what he did for my career and what he’s done for the sport. I was lucky to drive for that long, and I could have continued, but I wanted sort of a longer-term contract, and also for myself, I wanted to know what can I do on another team. Yeah, tremendous respect for Roger and the whole organization. I’d definitely like to beat him but I want to beat everyone. We’ve got to go out and win races. Yeah, I’ll get him to sign the plaque (laughs).”
Looking Ahead: Will Power’s New Chapter with Andretti Global
Beginning his new journey with Andretti Global, Will Power has made it clear that he aims to challenge Team Penske at every opportunity. The 2025 IndyCar season will kick off on March 1 with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg street circuit, a venue where Andretti is expected to hold an advantage. Power’s move marks a significant shift in IndyCar dynamics, setting the stage for intense competition between one of the sport’s longest-standing drivers and the team that shaped much of his career.
