Australian IndyCar star Will Power is excited about the challenge of hauling in new championship leader Ryan Hunter-Reay in the final rounds of the season.
The points leader for most of the season, Power was overhauled by Hunter-Reay after the American’s victory in the previous event in Toronto earlier this month – his third win in a row.
It means Power goes into this weekend’s race in Edmonton trailing by 34 points in the championship hunt and he’s aiming to take top spot back at one of his favourite tracks.
“It’s kind of given me a real kick in the ass,” said Power, who finished runner-up in the past two championships.
“I’m really back to being focused and ready and positive and it’s kind of good to feel this way at this time of the season.
“After last year, I was just kind of pissed off with what happened and all that, and then just got on with the job and we went along and had a bunch of really good races.
“I’m feeling good, feeling fit and ready to go.”
Edmonton is a happy hunting ground for Power, with victories in the Canadian city in 2009 and 2011.
And after winning three of the first four races of the season, Power knows with five races remaining in this year’s championship it’s time to recapture that early season form.
But he’s not going to go all out for a race win if it means risking a costly crash.
“I would like to be the points leader. But I mean, to win the championship, is just — things have got to go your way,” he said.
“Week-in, week-out, you’ve got to be knocking on the door. You’ve got to be up there with a chance to win every weekend, and if you can’t do it, you accept what you’ve got and get the most out of it.
“Don’t try to force the issue and have a DNF. That’s how I see it; the guy that does that the best is going to win this year.”
The Edmonton Indy event begins with practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday before a 75-lap race from 12.45pm on Sunday (0445 Monday AEST).