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Australian racing driver Will Power is the only Australian to have won the Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, doing so in 2018. Power, who drives for Team Penske, is one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history, currently fourth in all-time wins (44), first in all-time poles (70), and fourth in all-time podiums (106).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 May 2018 |
| Winner | Will Power |
| Winner's Nationality | Australian |
| Winner's Team | Team Penske |
| Winner's Car | No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet |
| Winner's Previous Best | 5th place |
| Previous Australian Best | 2nd place |
| Previous Australian Best Driver | Will Power |
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What You'll Learn
Australian Will Power won the Indy 500 in 2018
Australian race car driver Will Power won the 2018 Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indy 500, on May 27, 2018. Power, who drives for Team Penske, won the race by 3 seconds, marking his first victory in 14 attempts. Power's win was a historic moment for Australian motorsport, as he was the first Australian to win the Indy 500.
The Indy 500 is an annual American open-wheel car race held on Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The race covers 200 laps over a total distance of 500 miles (800 km). Power's victory in the 2018 race was hard-earned, as he had to overcome a slow start to the season, including DNFs at Phoenix and Birmingham. However, he found his form towards the end of the season, winning at Pocono Raceway and the Grand Prix of Portland, among other races.
Power's win in the Indy 500 added to an already impressive racing career. He has won the IndyCar Championship twice, in 2014 and 2022, and is one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history. As of 2022, he is fourth all-time in wins (44), first all-time in poles (70), and fourth in podiums (106).
Power's victory in the 2018 Indy 500 was especially sweet, as he had come close to winning the race in previous years, finishing as the runner-up in 2015. His win in 2018 marked a significant achievement for both Power and Australian motorsport, solidifying his place in the history of the prestigious race.
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Power is one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history
Australian Will Power is one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history. Power, born in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, began his career in his home country, driving a Datsun 1200 at Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick, and at Carnel Raceway, Stanthorpe. In 1999, he began driving a family-owned Swift SC92F in the Queensland Formula Ford Championship, winning several races. The following year, he embarked on a full campaign, claiming his first title.
Power's success continued as he progressed in his career. He has achieved notable accomplishments in IndyCar racing, with 44 wins, 70 poles, and 106 podiums as of 2022, ranking him fourth all-time in wins and first all-time in poles. Power's IndyCar Championship victories came in 2014 and 2022, and he won the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, becoming the first Australian to achieve this feat.
Power's success in IndyCar has been particularly prominent on road and street courses, where he has consistently demonstrated impressive speed during qualifying and races. However, he faced challenges in his first three title runs due to a lack of oval wins. Despite this, he secured his first oval victory in 2014 at the Milwaukee mile and finished second at Texas Motor Speedway, contributing to his first IndyCar title that year.
In 2015, Power added two more oval wins to his tally, showcasing his adaptability and versatility as a driver. While Power has experienced setbacks and controversies during certain races, he has consistently demonstrated his skill and determination, extending his streak of winning at least one race per season in IndyCar to ten seasons.
Beyond his IndyCar achievements, Power has also tasted success with Team Penske, winning the 2018 IndyCar Grand Prix and securing the team's 200th victory in the Series. Team Penske itself has a distinguished history in the Indianapolis 500, with 20 victories as a car entrant, the most of any team. Power's association with Penske has undoubtedly contributed to his own success, and their partnership has yielded remarkable results.
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Power is the first Australian to win the Indy 500
Australian racing driver Will Power became the first Australian to win the Indy 500 in 2018. Power, who drives the No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske, won the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2018.
Power's win was a historic moment for Australian motorsport. In an emotional interview after the race, he expressed his disbelief at winning the Indy 500, reflecting on his career and his previous wins. He also highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating that he hoped people back home in Australia would recognise him for this accomplishment.
Born on March 1, 1981, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Power is the son of open-wheel racer Bob Power. He began his racing career in Queensland, driving a Datsun 1200 at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick and at Carnel Raceway in Stanthorpe. In 1999, he started competing in the Queensland Formula Ford Championship, and the following year, he won his first title in a Swift while also racing a Spectrum 07 in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
Power's success in IndyCar has been notable, particularly on road and street courses, where he has consistently demonstrated impressive speed during qualifying and races. He has also shown versatility by winning on different types of ovals, including long, intermediate, and short ovals. Power's victory in the 2018 Indy 500 added to his impressive resume, solidifying his place as one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history.
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Power's win was Team Penske's 200th IndyCar Series win
Australian racing driver Will Power has won the Indianapolis 500 twice, in 2018 and 2022. Power's 2018 win was Team Penske's 200th IndyCar Series win. Power's victory at the IndyCar Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was also his second consecutive win at the event and his third overall.
Power's win was a hard-fought one. Starting from pole position, he relinquished the lead when Robert Wickens passed him on Turn 7. He regained the lead on Lap 41 when Wickens pitted, but lost it again after his own pit stop on the subsequent lap. On Lap 51, Power performed a bold pass of Wickens in Turn 1 to retake the lead. On Lap 55, Power's teammate Josef Newgarden spun while trying to pass Sebastien Bourdais, causing the field to pit under caution on Lap 58. Power won the race out of the pits by inches over Wickens and held off Scott Dixon's challenge to the end of the 85-lap race.
Power's win was Team Penske's 20th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the team has consistently been one of the most successful in the history of the sport. Power's 33rd career victory also moved him to within one win of Al Unser Jr. for eighth place on the all-time Indy car win list. With 30 wins for Team Penske, Power ties with Helio Castroneves for the title of Penske's winningest driver of all time.
Will Power was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, in 1981. He is the son of open-wheel racer Bob Power and began his career in Queensland. Power has won the IndyCar Championship twice and is currently fourth all-time in wins, first all-time in poles, and fourth in podiums.
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Power's win capped a monumental day for Australian motorsport
On 27 May 2018, William Steven Power, also known as Will Power, became the first Australian to win the Indianapolis 500, or Indy 500, capping a monumental day for Australian motorsport. Power, driving the No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske, clinched the 102nd running of the race, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.
The Indy 500 is an annual American open-wheel car race, usually held on Memorial Day weekend, which falls on the last weekend of May. The race typically covers 200 laps over a total distance of 500 miles (800 km). Power's win was a significant achievement, as he had previously faced challenges in winning oval races, with his successes in IndyCar primarily occurring on road and street courses.
The 2018 Indy 500 was a particularly hot race, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees, making it the hottest 500 on record. The high temperatures, coupled with new aero kits used by the cars, made the vehicles challenging to control, resulting in crashes for several drivers, including Danica Patrick and Tony Kanaan.
Will Power's victory in the Indy 500 was not only a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for Australian motorsport. Power, a native of Toowoomba, Queensland, began his racing career in his home state, driving a Datsun 1200 at Morgan Park Raceway and Carnel Raceway. His win in the prestigious Indy 500 showcased the talent and competitiveness of Australian drivers on the global stage of motorsport.
The 2018 Indy 500 win added to Power's impressive racing résumé. He has won the IndyCar Championship twice, in 2014 and 2022, and is currently one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history. Power's Indy 500 victory, along with Daniel Ricciardo's triumph in Monaco, highlighted the growing presence and success of Australian drivers in international motorsports competitions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australian racing driver Will Power won the 2018 Indianapolis 500.
William Steven Power is an Australian racing driver who competes in the IndyCar Series. He was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, and started his career driving a Datsun 1200 at Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick. Power is one of the most successful drivers in Indy car racing history, currently fourth all-time in wins.
The Indianapolis 500, also known as the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, is an annual American open-wheel car race held on American Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It was first held in 1911 and covers 200 laps over a total distance of 500 miles.
Will Power's win was a monumental moment for Australian motorsport, as he became the first Australian to win the Indy 500. The race was also notable for the high temperatures, which, along with new aero kits used by cars, made the race challenging with limited passing and control issues.
