Will Power, the reigning champion, narrowly missed out on victory in the recent race, finishing just 0.7 seconds behind Josef Newgarden. Power believes that he could have moved ahead of his teammate if he hadn’t been delayed leaving his pit box due to Marcus Ericsson’s pit stop ahead of him. The frustration was palpable as he reflected on the missed opportunity.
Power expressed frustration over the timing of Ericsson’s pit stop, which caused him to wait before leaving his own pit box. He had been closely monitoring his rearview mirror, anticipating Ericsson’s arrival. The delay cost him valuable time, and he watched as precious seconds ticked away. Power had entered the pits alongside Newgarden, but the delay caused him to lose sight of his teammate.
Despite the setback, Power believed that he had the right balance in his car to challenge for victory. A mid-race front wing change had dramatically improved the car’s handling, turning it from “horrible” to “extremely good.” Power led for 30 laps from pole position but was overtaken by Newgarden when he made a mistake in Turn 2. However, he was confident in the car’s performance, stating that it was strong in the middle-to-end of the stint.
He also mentioned a great restart after the first caution, which allowed him to climb from sixth to third. This gave him the belief that he could challenge Newgarden for the win. Power felt confident going into the final pit stops and believed that he had the opportunity to take the lead from Newgarden. With a well-balanced car and a strong performance on the track, Power had the potential to secure the victory.
Power believed that pitting earlier could have given him a clear advantage over Newgarden. He acknowledged that it was a gamble but thought it was worth taking since he was not in contention for the championship. Pitting early would have not only avoided the pit box delay caused by Ericsson but also allowed Power to utilize the powerful undercut strategy to challenge Newgarden.
Although he was not aware of the situation on the pit stand, Power believed that taking this risk could have potentially led to a victory. However, he ultimately missed the opportunity. Despite the frustration, Power recognized the impressive performance of his teammate, Newgarden, who has won every oval race he has finished in for a significant period of time.
The race served as a learning experience for Power. He realized the importance of timing in the pit stops and the potential impact it can have on the overall outcome of the race. The frustration he felt will drive him to be more vigilant and proactive in future races. Power understands that every second counts and that a small delay can have significant consequences.
While Power was disappointed with the missed opportunity, he acknowledged Newgarden’s skill and success on the track. Reflecting on the race, Power remains determined to bounce back stronger in the next race. With his expertise and experience, Power is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in future competitions.
Will Power’s narrow loss in the recent race serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in motorsports. A delay at the pit box due to Ericsson’s pit stop cost Power valuable time and potentially the victory. However, Power remains optimistic, acknowledging the strong balance in his car and the potential advantages he could have taken. This setback will undoubtedly fuel Power’s determination to come back stronger in the future and make the most of every opportunity on the track.
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