IZOD IndyCar Series: Indy Japan: The Final

Topics:  Indy Japan: The Final

Marco Andretti
Will Power
September 18, 2011

MOTEGI, JAPAN

THE MODERATOR: We are pleased to be joined by two of our top finishers, Marco Andretti and Will Power.
Major championship implications with today's race, Will.
WILL POWER: Yeah, we had the mindset going into the weekend. We weren't really thinking about points. We were just thinking about doing a good job. The things you can't control, it's not worth even worrying about. Just really making sure we execute on the things we could control.
Very good points day.
THE MODERATOR: The next two races are 1.5 mile ovals. You said you feel those have become your strength in terms of oval racing. If you could expand on that a little.
WILL POWER: Ovals, that's what I enjoy the most racing, mile-and-a-half racing, Chicagoland last week, Texas this year, even Kentucky last year we were really strong, just didn't end up with the result. Pretty focused on that this year.
THE MODERATOR: How appropriate is it that you're sitting next to Marco after winning the Mario Andretti Trophy?
WILL POWER: Yeah, Marco, pleasant surprise to see him up there on the last restart. Always have good battles with him. His granddad was the ultimate driver. Honored to win the Mario Andretti Trophy again.
THE MODERATOR: Marco, talk about today's race. A great finish for you, the team, and a podium.
MARCO ANDRETTI: Yeah, we didn't roll off the truck like this. We're definitely happy. Actually, I was surprised as well. We made gains. We just went in the right direction. We found the direction and we kept hammering at it and made gains every session.
To end up here was definitely good.
THE MODERATOR: Talk about the significance of the podium finish with this being our last event for the foreseeable feature in Motegi.
MARCO ANDRETTI: It's a shame. Will and I were talking about this is a proper road course. The fans are what make our event. It's a shame that we're leaving, but it was good to be on the podium.
THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up for questions for Will and Marco.

Q. Although it is September, it is very hot and humid in Japan, especially here at the track. You seem quite fresh. You seem like it was a pretty easy job for you. Did the weather help, Marco?
MARCO ANDRETTI: Well, good thing Will and I went for a run before the weekend together. Yeah, Ryan Hunter-Reay and myself and the Penske guys, we went for a run to get acclimated to the weather.
As drivers, part of our job is to show up fit enough to where we can go 10/10ths the whole time. Yeah, I feel good.

Q. On Friday we had an earthquake. What are your comments? Did you feel it on Friday? How did you feel?
WILL POWER: Yeah, I felt it. Actually, it's funny, because in the last month that's about the third earthquake I felt. I felt one at home in North Carolina. I felt one in Baltimore. I felt one here. So I'm getting accustomed to it. It's actually fun.

Q. Marco?
MARCO ANDRETTI: It's my second. I was in my office in Pennsylvania the other day and my chair kind of rolled. So I felt one there.
Yeah, I mean, my Japanese friends act like it's no big deal over here, it happens all the time. Fortunately it wasn't a big one.

Q. Before the last restart, what happened between you two? How did you feel at the restart?
MARCO ANDRETTI: I was just hoping that Will and Dixon would take each other out (laughter).
WILL POWER: I was hoping that Dixon would just take himself out (laughter).
THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on a great race. We'll see you in Kentucky.
MARCO ANDRETTI: Thank you.
WILL POWER: Thank you.