Power’s Out at Penske
James Black/Penske Entertainment
By Dennis Krause
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Team Penske confirmed that driver Will Power would not be returning to the team for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
“As we sat down to talk about our future together, Will felt that it was time for him to make a change beginning with next season,” said Roger Penske. “He has been an outstanding driver and teammate for our organization. His results speak for themselves, and we wish him the very best in the next phase of his career.”
Of Penske’s three-driver lineup, Power was the longest tenured, having been with the team for 17 seasons. During that time, Power won 42 of his career 45 race wins, two INDYCAR Championships (2014 and 2022) and one Indianapolis 500 victory. Power is also INDYCAR’s all-time leading qualifier with 71 pole positions, the most in series history.
“It’s been the honor of my life to drive for Roger and the Penske organization,” said Will Power. “We have accomplished so much together, and I will always be grateful for my time with the team and my teammates who have supported me along the way. After much consideration, I felt like a change for me was the right move at this time.”
Where 44-year-old Power will end up is still unknown as is Penske’s replacement for him in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. It is widely believed that 23-year-old David Malukas will join the team from Penske-affiliated A.J. Foyt Racing. A Power-Malukas swap seems unlikely.
It is rumored that Power could replace Colton Herta at Andretti Global if Herta heads to Europe to race in the Formula 2 series in order to gain enough points to earn his Formula One superlicense.
Power’s status with Penske had been the topic of much speculation all through the year when there was no movement by Penske to renew Power’s contract which was up after this season.
Dennis Krause has spent decades covering all forms of motorsports, including over 40 Indianapolis 500s, with stints at WIBA Radio, PIT PASS - Radio’s Premier Motorsports Magazine and Motorsports Minute. Follow him on X @DennisKrause500 or motorsportsminute.bluesky.social or motorsportsminute on Threads or MotorsportsMinute+ on Facebook.