START: 8TH FINISH: 4TH POINTS: 4TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Will Power and the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevrolet started eighth and finished fourth in Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Sporting a new paint scheme for the first time in 2024, Power made it cleanly through the often-chaotic opening laps at the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit, settling into ninth. Working on fuel saving, Power pitted under the first full-course caution on lap 29 for primary Firestone tires. Strong service by the Verizon crew netted Power two spots off pit road. The two-time INDYCAR champion would move up to sixth just past halfway. Utilizing fresh alternate tires and a clean track, Power continued his trademark charge through the field. He passed Colton Herta for fourth position and began to reel in teammate Scott McLaughlin for the third position. The two drivers from Down Under would race closely for the final spot on the podium with Power coming home in fourth position at the conclusion of 100 laps of hard-fought action. He holds the fourth spot in the championship standings leaving St. Petersburg.
POWER’S THOUGHTS: “We kind of expected to be strong with the No. 12 Verizon Business Chevy. Lot of improvements in the offseason, the Chevy engine is really good and there was a lot of work also on the car. So, it was fun at the end and obviously we could push him. A lot of fuel save there at the beginning and the yellow fell at an unfortunate time which made it a bit more of a follow the leader sort of race. If it was extended by 10 laps like it used to be, then you would have a very big fuel window for the race.”
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
