Team Penske breathed a sigh of relief Sunday afternoon.
Will Power led a race-high 78 of 110 laps in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet to capture the victory in the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland presented by askROI, earning the team its first win of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The victory wasn’t just a long-awaited result – it was a statement.
The win marked the first since Jonathan Diuguid was promoted to president of Penske Racing following a major midseason leadership shakeup. On July 4, Diuguid officially stepped into the role, while longtime Penske sports car team leader Travis Law was appointed as competition director.
Their promotions came in the wake of a sweeping leadership change. In May, team owner Roger Penske parted company with three longtime executives, president Tim Cindric, managing director Ron Ruzewski and general manager Kyle Moyer, following penalties assessed to Power’s and Josef Newgarden’s cars during Indy 500 qualifying.
“This team’s used to winning a lot, and this year has been difficult,” Diuguid said. “But when Will put on a drive like he did today, it’s rewarding for everybody.”
Still, Diuguid was quick to deflect credit. That’s what leaders do. Instead, he praised the entire Penske organization for staying grounded through a season that kept slipping away.
“When you win like today, it just makes it that much sweeter,” he said. “This is a team that’s won five or more races every year. We know how to win. We’ve been doing the same things this season. We just finally put it all together. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Before Sunday, Penske stared down its first winless season since 1999, part of a 54-race drought stretching back to 1997. The 2025 campaign hadn’t been much kinder. Heading into Portland, Penske had recorded 14 did-not-finish results, its most in a single season since 1998.
“There’s only one way you can go when you hit rock bottom,” Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin said. “I think it doesn’t get much worse.”
For Power, the victory came at a crucial time – for his team and himself. With speculation swirling about his future with Team Penske, Sunday’s win served as a personal exclamation point. It was the 45th win of his INDYCAR career, fourth-most all-time. Of those, 42 have come with Team Penske, the most by any INDYCAR SERIES driver in the team’s history, including his 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge triumph.
He also leads all Penske INDYCAR SERIES drivers in road and street course wins (32), holds the all-time series record for pole positions (71), ranks fourth in podium finishes (108) and fifth in top-five finishes (142).
Sunday was his 18th season with at least one win, tying A.J. Foyt for second-most. Scott Dixon’s 23 ranks highest.
Power also claimed series championships in 2014 and 2022. At 44 years old, he isn’t slowing down, and he’s not afraid to say so.
“I am not slower; I am faster,” Power said. “My toolbox is still big when it comes to understanding the cars, racecraft, all that. I never stop working at it. It’s a passion. I love it. That’s why I’m still winning.
“I won three races last year. If you’re waiting to find out whether I’m good enough just go back to last year, and you’ll have your answer.”
Still, neither Power nor Diuguid offered clarity on his future with the team.
“I have no clue,” Power said bluntly. “Nothing else to say. I don’t know.”
Diuguid, too, was vague.
“Will’s future is about 30 minutes old from winning a race,” he said Sunday in the post-race press conference. “His future’s definitely bright. He did an amazing job today. We’re looking forward to the last two races of the season.”
In a sport that rarely slows down, Power’s longevity and consistency continue to earn him admiration from fans and competitors alike.
Graham Rahal was one of many paddock voices quick to praise the veteran.
“I don’t know where Will goes, but all I can say is, there’s not many guys better in this series than Will Power,” Rahal said. “For Will to do what he’s doing is very impressive – for an old man. It gives all of us hope. He’s a stud.”
