Where’s Will Power? Early tire trouble sidelines IndyCar polesitter in St. Louis

Will Power entered Sunday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 back on pole for the first time in 2025 and ready to prove he was still capable of winning. Instead the Australian fell out of contention while the driver rumored to be in the running to replace him led the way. 

Power led the field to green for the 260-lap race around World Wide Technology Raceway, but lost the top spot to AJ Foyt Racing’s David Malukas on the opening circuit. He held second through the opening stint and was biding his time, saving fuel while the eager Illinoisan took off up front. 

That’s when misfortune struck. Power was rolling into turn 3 on lap 47 when he suffered a right-front failure, sending his No. 12 Chevrolet into the outside wall. The two-time champion was able to limp his car to pit road, but it was crab-walking with suspension damage that ultimately sent Power to the garage in 27th. 

“Man, I felt last night when we were running, we were pretty much flat through (turns) 3 and 4 every lap,” Power told FOX Sports afterward. “And I was like ‘Man, this is a lot of load, like when I had a failure at Iowa (Speedway).’

“It felt the same, and that actually happened. … Nothing I could do there. Feel bad for everyone on the Verizon car.”

It was a disappointing end to a promising day for Power, who added to his qualifying record with a 71st pole. The 2018 Indianapolis 500 champion entered Gateway fifth in the standings and leading all Team Penske drivers. But at 44 years old and winless in a contract year, Power has been rumored for a potential exit from Penske in 2026, with Malukas under consideration to replace him. 

Malukas had gotten the early jump on Power at WWT Raceway, but the veteran felt he was in the better position before his untimely exit.

“We had a good car,” Power said, “(I was) just sitting there saving fuel, getting a big number to try to get that fourth stop. Malukas was taking off. Figured he’d just catch traffic and we’d be able to get to him and probably knock a stop off the race. 

“But nothing was going to stop a tire failure, unfortunately. That’s the way it is. Go to the next one, see if we can get a win. We’re always knocking on the door, but not today.”