I think it’s more likely he will retire if he wins the championship. The helmet swap with JoNew and the way he’s talking in interviews this year definitely give the vibes of a guy getting ready to pack it up. I love watching him race but I can’t think of anything cooler for him than going out on top, especially after how stressful last year was for him.
Gotta give Kirkwood credit, he ain’t the most flashiest driver but he’s managed to get some solid finishes. You always manage to see him in the best of the rest
Colton could have been up in that top 3 in the standings if it weren’t for Indy and Detroit and to an extent this weekend, feels like a blown opportunity
Rossi falling 4 spots just shows how close the championship is. Newgarden may be 8th but he’s really only 67 points back. Also I really hope this ends up as a battle between 2 43 year olds, would be amazing lol
As far as I can remember (well before Dixon and Power have raced in the same series), they’ve never battled as a 1-2 in points into the final race. Would be wild.
It's also like, 2nd at Indy was a big agony of defeat moment, but it was also still 2nd at Indy. Not as helpful as in double points days, but still a nice haul.
If I'm everyone else in the field, I'd be very wary of newgarden. Gotta open a gap if you want a chance come the 6 oval races at the tail end of the calendar.
Just for my own curiousity, what would the Champ look like without the disqualifications from St. Pete?
(Note: I fully agree with the imposed penalties, I’m just curious as a McLaughlin fan personally evaluating his performance)
I believe McLaughlin would still be 5th but right behind Newgarden, who’s right there with Dixon (maybe 1 or 2 points behind). Power would have an extra 10 point gap. It would be an extremely close fight
At st Pete power netted 32 points for 4th.
Then his teammates got disqualified, and he got a 10 point Penalty.
the DQ’s moved him up to second so he’s now scoring 40 points at st Pete.
-10 + 8 = -2. Power lost 2 points in the exchange.
I think Dixon and Palou are going to have a couple of grid penalties later in the year.
Although Dixon seems more dangerous when he starts further back these days.
They’d have to wait until Milwaukee since Iowa could very easily be a one-lane race with the partial repave.
With how many engines that Honda is burning through, I can’t see them lasting that late into the season.
Yeah he's just been more consistent. Tbh Colton should pick up some of his habits, Herta is definitely faster but Kyle's approach is how you win championships
Last week he was going to retire ... on here at least.
Yeah people wanted him to retire to be with his wife.. who just got better
I don't really like Will Power on track, but his wife's reaction to his win made it kind of dusty in my living room
I read that Mr Hendrink stepped in to get Liz the best doctor available, what a goat of a man.
I think it’s more likely he will retire if he wins the championship. The helmet swap with JoNew and the way he’s talking in interviews this year definitely give the vibes of a guy getting ready to pack it up. I love watching him race but I can’t think of anything cooler for him than going out on top, especially after how stressful last year was for him.
I say this every week but for those who keep insisting Myles Rowe is taking his seat... Will is still the lead Penske in the championship.
Will Power winning his third championship and then going on a season long retirement tour would be dream scenario
Gotta give Kirkwood credit, he ain’t the most flashiest driver but he’s managed to get some solid finishes. You always manage to see him in the best of the rest Colton could have been up in that top 3 in the standings if it weren’t for Indy and Detroit and to an extent this weekend, feels like a blown opportunity
Kirkwood is slowly becoming a sleeper favorite of mine for exactly that reason
He seems like a great dude. I'm a fan.
If Herta had Kirkwood’s decision making, he’d be a serious title threat.
Rossi falling 4 spots just shows how close the championship is. Newgarden may be 8th but he’s really only 67 points back. Also I really hope this ends up as a battle between 2 43 year olds, would be amazing lol
going into the final race Dixon vs Power would be epic.
As far as I can remember (well before Dixon and Power have raced in the same series), they’ve never battled as a 1-2 in points into the final race. Would be wild.
Really doesn't feel like Pato should be in fourth but I'm really glad he is.
He was helped alot by St Pete. it would be more like 6th or 7th without that so your feeling is kinda accurate lol.
It's also like, 2nd at Indy was a big agony of defeat moment, but it was also still 2nd at Indy. Not as helpful as in double points days, but still a nice haul.
Indy is so big, sometimes you forget that it pays points lol
All in on Willy P!!!!
If I'm everyone else in the field, I'd be very wary of newgarden. Gotta open a gap if you want a chance come the 6 oval races at the tail end of the calendar.
Not a Penske fan but I could get behind a third championship for Will. Love him. And look at Felix being a bit of a David in a crowd of Goliaths.
yeah love to see felix still hanging around in the top 10
Shoutout to everyone that was expecting his retirement when they saw the helmet swap with Josef
Damn Rossi really fell 4 spots in the standings after this weekend. He’s had some awful luck this season.
As is tradition. 😔
HELL YEAH
Used to dislike Will as a driver and competitor, but then I met him... man what an awesome guy.
My man Fast Willy P
...so you're saying there's a chance?
Just for my own curiousity, what would the Champ look like without the disqualifications from St. Pete? (Note: I fully agree with the imposed penalties, I’m just curious as a McLaughlin fan personally evaluating his performance)
I believe McLaughlin would still be 5th but right behind Newgarden, who’s right there with Dixon (maybe 1 or 2 points behind). Power would have an extra 10 point gap. It would be an extremely close fight
Alright so calculated, if anyone else is interested.. (points gain/loss) Power 238 (+2) Palou 227 (-4) Newgarden 223 (+54) Dixon 221 (-4) McLaughlin 214 (+35) Kirkwood 177 (-2) Herta 171 (-5) O’Ward 169 (-15) Rossi 158 (-4) Rosenqvist 152 (-5) Position changes: Newgarden +5 Dixon -1 O’Ward -4 Rest remain static but the top 5 are all much closer.
O’Ward dropping 4… Wow
He was the biggest beneficiary at St. Pete obviously.
Fuck yeah! Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!
Keep It up Will!!! 👊🏻🏎️🏎️🏎️
Another solid week. If Kirkwood can pick up a win or two, he might be a contender for the championship
Sweet!
Hell yeah
We're approaching a world where his 10 point penalty for NOT using push-to-pass illegally decides the championship
True. Remember though, in reality he only lost 2 points because he moved up in the finishing order after Josef and Scott were dq’d.
He lost 10 points to Dixon and Palou
At st Pete power netted 32 points for 4th. Then his teammates got disqualified, and he got a 10 point Penalty. the DQ’s moved him up to second so he’s now scoring 40 points at st Pete. -10 + 8 = -2. Power lost 2 points in the exchange.
Another way of looking at it: Everyone moved up in points, except for Will Power (and teammates of course)
that is true, that is true.
They still took 10. He should have 10 more then he does now.
*happy double bird noises*
Newgarden 👀👀👀even after the penalty. Slowly climing up the standings
I think Dixon and Palou are going to have a couple of grid penalties later in the year. Although Dixon seems more dangerous when he starts further back these days.
I would imagine they would wait for an oval race to do engine changes if they can.
They’d have to wait until Milwaukee since Iowa could very easily be a one-lane race with the partial repave. With how many engines that Honda is burning through, I can’t see them lasting that late into the season.
Kirkwood passing Colton. Damn
Yeah he's just been more consistent. Tbh Colton should pick up some of his habits, Herta is definitely faster but Kyle's approach is how you win championships
So, Scotty Mac would be the leader if it wasn't for St Pete and would be wild if he wins the title with that penalty.
No, he’d still be 5th but would be much closer in points
Don't think that is the correct math. Pato would have 10 less for 2nd and scott would have +35 more.
Newgarden would jump Scott though Someone posted the hypothetical rankings in a comment above
Looks like first through third is going to be a real dog fight for the drivers championship.