BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Will Power’s quest for a second NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship didn’t begin as planned. A series of early-season mishaps threatened to derail his hopes before they truly gained momentum. But a resilient performance, culminating in a podium finish at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, signals that the veteran driver and his latest team, Andretti Global, are finding their stride. The question now is whether they can maintain that progress as the series heads to Barber Motorsports Park this weekend.
The 2026 season opened with a frustrating stretch for Power. Crashes in practice, qualifying, and the race at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg left him starting 13th and finishing a disappointing 22nd. The following week at Phoenix Raceway, the struggles continued. Another qualifying crash forced him to start last in the 25-car field, but a spirited drive saw him climb through the ranks, even leading 10 laps before a late-race collision with Christian Rasmussen ended his chances. He finished 16th, leaving him buried in 22nd place in the championship standings.
“The start of the season did look leisurely,” Power acknowledged, according to IndyCar.com. “But you’ve got to remember we were leading at Phoenix. We had the incident. I think St. Pete would have been a top five, for sure. The speed is there, the capability to contend for the championship is there. It really hurt me in the points, but I know we’re going to have chances of winning this year.”
The turnaround began at Arlington, where Power qualified fourth and finished third in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda. This result propelled him to 11th in the points standings as the series arrives at Barber Motorsports Park for Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst.
Adjusting to a New Environment
Power’s challenging start wasn’t solely about on-track incidents. It also stemmed from adapting to a new team after 17 seasons with Team Penske. The transition to Andretti Global required building a rapport with a new group of engineers and mechanics, a process that takes time and intentional effort. The team used the recent off-weekend to focus on strengthening those relationships.
“Gave us a little time to catch our breath,” Power said. “For me, in particular, learning a new team, it’s been such a busy time. To actually have a weekend off and digest what needs to be worked on was nice.” He emphasized that Andretti Global’s approach differs from his previous team, but he’s been impressed by their preparation and processes.
Barber: A Track with History
Barber Motorsports Park presents both an opportunity and a measuring stick for Power and Andretti Global. Power has a strong track record at the 2.3-mile, 17-turn circuit, having won twice in 2011 and 2012. He’s completed 15 starts at Barber, earning 12 top-five finishes. His recent performances have been consistently strong, with an average finish of 3.2 over his last five starts, including runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2024, and a fifth-place result last year. However, all those successes came with Team Penske.
This weekend marks the first time Power will pilot the Andretti Global car on a fast, flowing road course, providing a crucial opportunity to assess their progress. “It’s going to be an interesting weekend for me,” Power stated. “It’s the first time I’ve driven this car on a fast, flowing road course. I’m interested to see where we stack up and what we need to do to be on pace. I think this weekend will be telling. Did we close the gap like we needed to on road courses?”
Andretti Global’s Road Course Challenge
Power’s assessment extends beyond his own performance. Andretti Global has historically struggled on natural road courses. Since 2023, all eight of the team’s victories have come on ovals or street circuits. Their last win on a natural road course was in July 2022 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, with Alexander Rossi at the wheel. IndyCar.com reports that current drivers Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson have yet to secure a win on a natural road course.
Ericsson’s best finish at Barber is seventh (2019), while Kirkwood’s is 10th (2024). Kirkwood currently leads the championship standings, with Ericsson in eighth. With six of the 18 races on the 2026 schedule taking place on natural road courses, including the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, performance in this discipline will be critical for both drivers’ championship aspirations.
Confidence Remains High
Despite the early setbacks, Power remains optimistic. “I feel like I could have contended for a win at every race this season,” he said. “The pace is there. The ingredients are there to contend for a championship.” He praised Andretti Global’s preparation and processes, noting their commitment to improvement. “They do things a different way, but their preparation is very great. They’re a well-put-together team with strong processes. I can see why we’re running at the front. I’m very impressed, and we’re improving.”
Power firmly believes he’s in a position to compete for a championship this year. “I really believe I’m in a position to win a championship. This year we’re already there.”
The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst at Barber Motorsports Park will provide a crucial data point for Power and Andretti Global. The weekend will reveal how much ground they’ve made on road course performance and whether they can translate their recent momentum into consistent front-running contention. The next step in the championship battle unfolds on Sunday, and the team will be looking to build on their progress as the season continues.
What do you think about Will Power’s chances this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow INDYCAR fans.
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