Will Power will attempt to overtake Alex Palou in the points standings during Sunday’s season finale from Nashville Superspeedway.
Power sits 33 points behind Palou, but has a distinct advantage from his grid position. The veteran will line up on the second row while Palou will start the race from 24th.
If Power does overcome the deficit to claim his third IndyCar title, he would become the oldest series champion since Al Unser Sr. won his own third championship in 1985.
The Australian’s age does not bother him, however, and he insists that he feels much younger than he actually is.
Speaking to Motorsportweek.com ahead of the race, Power described how he only feels as old as his main rival for the title.
“It’s crazy, but I still feel like I’m in my twenties,” said a jovial Power. “If you were to tell me I’m forty whatever, I would say ‘Nah, can’t be!’
“I’m still pulling big numbers on the rower. I’m fit and sharp as ever. It is funny. I believe there’s a lot in how you perceive yourself to be. If you think you’re old, you’re going to act old, and then you’re going to be old. I’m staying young by racing.”
Power went on to describe that finishing off the season with a slate of oval events feels a bit like a throwback to his younger years as well, which helps him stay in the mindset of someone 15 or more years his junior.
The veteran’s main goal of the weekend is to win the race outright. If he does so, he would be able to overtake Palou if the Chip Ganassi driver finishes roughly 15th or worse.
The details of the championship battle are difficult to calculate because there are bonus points available to both drivers for leading laps during the race.
If Power finishes on the podium then he still has a path to his third championship, but anything lower would hand Palou his third title in just his fifth year in the series.
The Music City Grand Prix is scheduled to begin Sunday at 2:00 PM central time, and 206 laps will determine the outcome of a season’s long battle between the two drivers.
