He’s already conquered one of Australia’s motorsport milestones, and now Will Power says wants to become the nation’s first Indianapolis 500 winner.

Power became Australia’s first IndyCar champion in 2014, ending a heartbreaking series of near misses in America’s premier open-wheel championship.

Now the 34-year-old has revealed he’s hungrier than ever to become the first Australian to win the iconic 500-mile (805km) race, which rivals Formula One’s Monaco grand prix or NASCAR’s Daytona 500 as one of the biggest events on the international calendar.

Power has raced the Indy 500 seven times. His best finish was fifth in 2009.

Vern Schuppan’s third place in 1981 remains the best result by an Australian in the 104-year-old event.

Even the great Sir Jack Brabham couldn’t secure the elusive crown, with the three-time Formula One world champion having four attempts at the race in the 1960s and ’70s.

Power begins his title defence in Florida next weekend at the IndyCar season opener on the streets of St Petersburg, Florida, but admits he already has at least one eye on the Indy 500 in May.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, how to win that race, how to put yourself in that position,” Power told AAP.

“It starts you thinking about it. That’s where it starts. The process and the work you’ve got to go through to win a certain event or a championship, it starts with it being on your mind.

“Thinking about it more than I have before is what I’m trying to say. It’s definitely been on my mind.”

WILL POWER’S INDIANAPOLIS 500 RECORD

2008 – Qualified 23rd, finished 13th

2009 – Qualified 9th, finished 5th

2010 – Qualified 2nd, finished 8th

2011 – Qualified 5th, finished 14th

2012 – Qualified 5th, finished 28th

2013 – Qualified 6th, finished 19th

2014 – Qualified 3rd, finished 8th