That indescribable, overwhelmed elation on Will Power’s face will be a moment he remembers the rest of his life.

Four months removed from winning the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, the 37-year-old Team Penske driver from Australia has an even greater appreciation for that most meaningful of triumphs.

Although the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion didn’t win another title — finishing in the top three for the third time in four years — he took personal satisfaction in having series champion Scott Dixon honor him at the recent Victory Lap Celebration in Indianapolis. Dixon praised the passion Power displayed in victory lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

A video that included Power’s raw reaction had been shown earlier. Dixon, who won the 2008 Indianapolis 500 for Chip Ganassi Racing, sounded envious of Power’s big win. Power called it an understatement.

“Wow, you think?” he said. “The ‘500’ is the one you want, absolutely. When you’ve won it, you realize the significance of it.”

And that appreciation continues to grow. As Power spoke, a couple approached and congratulated him on that win. That happened more than once this night. And it’s occurred more times than he can count since May.

“That never gets old,” he said. “It’s amazing the chord that it’s struck with fans, how many fans come up to me and say they weren’t a fan (of mine) but now they are because of that win.”

As the couple said farewell, Power told them, “That absolutely made my career, being able to win that race.”

Power has certainly earned respect with 35 career wins, which ties three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser for seventh on the all-time list.

Power wanted to win the 500 so badly and had been asked about it so often for too long, he couldn’t help himself in rejoicing so much in the moments after crossing the finish line. The reaction on his team’s radio included profanity that he now wishes he hadn’t used.

“It was just all the questions over the years about the ‘500’ basically,” he said.

When teased about it later while talking to Dixon, Power offered another confession.

“I drive way better when I’m angry,” he said. “I’m better when I’m mad. I must be calm all the time, then I race really hard.”

“Yeah, I see that sometimes,” Dixon said with a wry grin.

As much as Power can revel in that one race, he admitted another part of him has already started looking ahead to 2019.

“Of course, of course, always,” he said. “You’re thinking about where your weaknesses are. You’re always thinking forward, especially at the end of the year when you’re like, ‘Aww, man, this one got away. This one got away.’ I’m already thinking of next year.”

Power can also look forward to seeing his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy as well as his image on tickets for the 103rd Indianapolis 500. And Power will also appreciate being introduced as the race’s “defending champion.”

“If you’re a competitor, you understand,” he said. “If you compete in the ‘500,’ you understand the significance of that race.”

And he sure gets that now, more than ever before. He chuckled when asked if Dixon would trade some of his season championships for a second Indianapolis 500 victory.

“Of course he would,” Power said. “He’s got five of those.”