Will Power surged from a 25th‑place start to claim second on the podium after a wild 90‑lap battle on the Streets of Markham.
Late‑night repairs give the engine new life
The drive hinged on an overnight overhaul in the Andretti Global pit lane. After a hard‑hit Practice 2 crash, the crew replaced the front end and completed a full engine swap before the race began. “The team pulled two hours of sleep last night,” Power said. “They fixed the car and re‑installed the engine – I wanted to set a good day for them.”
Restarts show where the car’s true talent lies
Once on the track, Power leveraged the car’s potent restart set‑up to close gaps quickly. “We could grab owners and take positions on each green flag,” he noted. “The pace blew up on the first five flags, and the whole team had to keep it together.”
Strategic calls from team principal Ron Ruzewski guided the tactics. “He set the target before the first green and insisted I aim for a podium,” Power explained. “Whether it was a bonus or a psychological push, it kept me forced ahead.”
Late‑race confrontation echoes team tensions
Marcus Ericsson, driving in a fresher set of soft alternates, pulled an 18‑second advantage on the final restart. As he closed the gap, the two teammates collided briefly on Turn 5. Power said the incident stemmed from a mis‑relay in the radios: “The team told Marcus he was coming, but the message didn’t get through in time.”
“We lost the lead,” Power admitted. “But the laps left over fuel and tire health kept us where we were.” Ericsson went on to lock the win and force the Indy 2026 field into an all‑out fight.
Team cohesion gains momentum heading into season’s middle
Power’s podium underscores a season of tightening performance for the garage. “After Mid‑Ohio and Portland we began to gel,” he grouped. “We now have more consistent restarts, more fuel‑saving plays, and a renewed rhythm. Four podiums in a season are tough to land.”
As IndyCar moves toward the East Coast stretch, Power looks to keep the momentum. “The car is stable on renewals, the plan is working, and the crew is in sync,” he reassured. “On the road ahead, we’ll be pushing for every better result.”
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