IZOD IndyCar Series: Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen

Topics:  Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen

Will Power
July 4, 2010

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on the podium finish, guys. We'll see you in Toronto.
We are joined by today's race winner, Will Power, who started from the pole. This is Will's third win of the season and his fourth career IZOD IndyCar Series win. He's the first driver to win this event from the pole. It's Will's second win from the pole this season.
Will is also the only driver to win multiple races this season. After securing six poles at Watkins Glen, Will Power gives Team Penske its first win at the track. This is also Team Penske's 30th win in the IZOD IndyCar Series, a new record. Finally, this is the first 1-2 finish for Team Penske this season.
Will, I think I heard you mention this race you were actually pushing yourself every lap. Can you talk about that?
WILL POWER: Yeah, from the very start, you know, we had a fuel number to get. I was very worried about the start because it's okay if you get to the start of turn one, but someone is going to get you going up the hill. In fact, making a mistake in turn one was a good thing because it meant I could tow Ryan back and get the lead. Everything changed when that yellow came. Once again, I was trying to hit a fuel number and go very quick.
I just gave it everything I got. I wanted to win very badly. I was just having fun. I just love driving so much. I just enjoyed that race a lot.
THE MODERATOR: We'll go ahead and open it up for questions.

Q. (No microphone.)
WILL POWER: Well, I knew my only chance of passing Ryan was on that restart 'cause we had to conserve fuel on the yellow, our tires got cold and picked up some debris. It was very slippery on the restart. That was the key to winning the race basically, was getting him then. Once it spread out and we went back to saving fuel, I don't think I could have got him. Just determination. I wanted to win this race.
So, yeah, I mean, it was great.

Q. (No microphone.)
WILL POWER: That's not that much. It's one weekend. You could have a bad race, somebody wins, you're back behind again.
I realize you actually have to win races to win the championship. You do. The points spread, that extra 10 points you get for winning. The guys I'm competing against, it's really tough. It's really competitive. You can't relax. I mean, people say, You get on the road courses, road courses coming up. But Dixon, Franchitti, Helio, Ryan are all as quick as I am. So you got to win, but you got to make no mistakes.
Man, it's a tough championship. It's great, really good. I'm really enjoying the competition.

Q. (No microphone.)
WILL POWER: Yeah, I keep saying, you know, got to have fantastic circuits like this. It's just a full European style circuit. It's got heaps of history. Jack Brabham won here '59, '60 and '66. Is that the last Australian to win here? Alan Jones, okay. I missed that one, damn.
I hope we come back. You know, we need tracks like this. You can pass. It's really fast. It's very physical. You know, I'm not sure what it looked like from the outside, but I had a lot of fun.

Q. (No microphone.)
WILL POWER: Yeah, just a satisfying day because it was a hard-fought win. You know, I really had to push, I had to pass, I had to save fuel. I had everything in that race. I had to qualify well.
So, you know, it's funny, you have days where you win races, and it's sort of a luck thing. Then there's days where you should have won. Today it was just a good race. I mean, you know, it's very satisfying when you fight for it and you got someone on your tail right to the end.

Q. (No microphone.)
WILL POWER: Yes, definitely. Probably have a beer, a Miller Lite, that is (laughter).
THE MODERATOR: We'll wrap things up. Congratulations, Will, on the win.
WILL POWER: Thank you.