Will Power enters the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a refreshed mindset.

Throughout much of 2025, Power questioned his future in the sport. He wanted to remain with Team Penske – the organization he called home since 2009 – but an offer wasn’t immediately forthcoming. Eventually, one arrived, but by then Power had already begun discussions with Andretti Global.

For the first time in his career, Power also found himself wondering what he could accomplish outside of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Power spent time with Team Australia and KV Racing Technology in his first three seasons, but the bulk of his success came in his 16 full seasons with Team Penske.

Forty-two of his 45 career wins came with the team -- including the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge -- along with 65 of his record-setting 71 poles.

“I wanted to know what I could do on another team,” Power said.

“Roger (Penske) gave me a great career. They just had this situation; he offered me a year. It wasn’t like, ‘You’re not coming back.’ He offered me to come back.

“But I was pretty far down the road with Andretti Global at that point. The relationship is good. I’ll always be grateful for what he (Penske) did for my career and what he’s done for the sport. I was lucky to drive there for that long, and I could have continued, but I wanted a longer-term contract.”

Will Power

Power (photo, above) won championships with Team Penske in 2014 and 2022. Now, he’ll try to deliver Andretti Global its fifth title and first since Ryan Hunter-Reay won in 2012. Hunter-Reay edged Power by just three points that season.

The schedule offers Power an immediate chance to make a statement. Sixteen of his 45 career wins have come on street circuits, and two of the first three races in 2026, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1 and the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, take place on that type of circuit.

Andretti Global was strong on those layouts last season, with the No. 26 Honda driven by Colton Herta starting on the front row in all four street races. Power adds even more pedigree, owning nine NTT P1 Awards at St. Petersburg and a victory there in 2010. He also has three top-seven finishes in his last four starts at the track, including a runner-up in 2024.

“In the early part of the season, there are tracks that really suit that car,” Power said. “I expect other people will work on that in the offseason and close the gap, but we’re going to close the gap in other areas, as well.

“Over the whole season, I feel like we should have a championship-contending car. I don’t see anyone standing out except (Alex) Palou. It’s not even the team standing out – it was one guy extracting the most out of his car. If you took him out of the equation, it’s not like the other Ganassi guys were as dominant as he was.”

A key part of Power desiring a long-term deal is the pursuit of personal milestone: 50 career wins. He’s five shy of becoming just the third driver to reach that mark, joining A.J. Foyt (67) and Scott Dixon (59).

“That’s the goal,” Power said. “To get to 50 would be very nice. That’s possible, too. Get three or four wins in a year, and you’re right there.”

Power is already laying the groundwork. His new teammates, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson, have noticed how engaged he’s been since joining the team.

“I don’t know how many hours we’ve been on the phone already,” Ericsson said. “He’s a funny guy. He’s a lot more technical than I expected. I guess that’s why he’s been doing it for so long and is still so good at it.

“He’ll call me up randomly and just start talking. I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I’m out for dinner,’ and he just keeps talking. He’s a funny guy, but I learn a lot from him.

“The cool thing is he comes in with so much experience. He’s 44, has been doing this for 20-plus years, but he’s still as hungry as ever. For the team, it’s going to be great to have him. The lineup with me, Kyle and Will feels super strong.”