Seventeen years. Two hundred and seventy-two races. One name stitched so tightly to Team Penske that it almost felt permanent.
And yet, this week at Phoenix Raceway, Will Power climbed into an Indy car that didn’t carry the familiar Penske colours – and the reset officially began.
Firestone’s January test marked Power’s first laps with Andretti Global, his first time driving for another IndyCar team since 2008, and his first return to Honda power in more than a decade.
New engineer, new garage, new rhythms – and just enough unfamiliarity to make it all feel slightly surreal. Power admitted it felt strange at first, but once the belts were tightened and the car rolled, instinct took over. An Indy car is still an Indy car.
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The test itself went smoothly. No drama, no hiccups – just a veteran driver doing what veterans do best: adapting quickly and getting to work.
Power has already spent time building chemistry with engineer Andy Listes, while learning the smaller details that come with a new team – steering wheel position, pedal feel, and the countless habits that once came automatically.
“It’s the typical stuff, you know,” Power said. “I’m just trying to understand how everything works in this team – I’d been with Penske 17 years – it was just like second-nature (being there).
“You didn’t think about it, (but) now you have to get the steering wheel in the right position and the pedals, padding and just basic things like that.”
There was a symbolic weight to the moment, too. For the first time since 2009, Power and long-time Penske teammate Josef Newgarden – also on track in Phoenix – weren’t sharing a garage. A partnership that defined an era has given way to a new chapter.
For Power, this isn’t about looking back. It’s about what comes next. And at Phoenix, the future officially started rolling.
