Will Power to depart Team Penske after 17 years, opening a new chapter ahead of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season
Will Power will leave Team Penske before the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, ending a 17-year run with the legendary organization. The decision was announced on September 2 by Penske officials.
Power has been one of INDYCAR’s most successful figures, amassing 45 career wins, two series championships (2014 and 2022) and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 victory. He is also the sport’s all-time leader in pole positions with 71. Remarkably, 42 of his INDYCAR victories came while driving for Team Penske.
Power reflected on his time with the team, saying, “It’s been the honor of my life to drive for Roger and the Penske organization. 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.”
Roger Penske added that Power felt it was the right moment to make a change beginning with next season, praising Power as “an outstanding driver and teammate.” Penske also wished Power the best in the next phase of his career.
In 2025, Power finished ninth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings, the top Penske driver in the field. He also secured a victory in Portland last month, giving Penske its first win of the 2025 season. Across his career, he has won at least one race in 16 of the last 17 seasons.
Penske will disclose plans for the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet at a later date ahead of the 2026 season, leaving room for questions about the driver lineup moving forward.
Power’s legacy with Penske is substantial: 42 of his 45 career INDYCAR victories came during his Penske tenure, and his two championships, plus the 2018 Indy 500 triumph, cement his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. His departure marks the end of an era for a team synonymous with consistency, speed and success.
Additional context and outlook:
– Power’s decision underscores the enduring competitive environment in INDYCAR, where teams continually evolve their lineups to stay atop the sport.
– His long association with Penske highlights how a single organization can shape a driver’s career and push the boundaries of achievement in the series.
Summary: Will Power is leaving Team Penske after a storied 17-year run, ending a chapter that included 45 career INDYCAR wins, two championships, and an iconic Indianapolis 500 victory. With 42 of those wins earned in Penske colors, his departure opens a new phase for both Power and the team as they prepare for the 2026 season, with the No. 12 Chevrolet’s future driver lineup to be announced. The legacy Power leaves behind reflects a career defined by consistency, peak performance and leadership within one of motorsport’s most celebrated organizations.