An End Of An Era: Team Penske and Will Power Shocking Breakup After 17 Years

Well, folks, here we are. After 17 years of pure dominance, two championships, and enough pole positions to make your head spin, Will Power is officially done with Team Penske. And honestly? Nobody really saw this bombshell coming. The Australian driver announced his departure on September 2, leaving IndyCar fans scratching their heads and wondering what the hell just happened.

The Power Behind the Decision

Power didn’t mince words in his statement, calling his time with Penske “the honor of my life.” Sweet sentiment, really. But reading between the lines of corporate-speak, there is clearly more to this story than mutual respect in Roger Penske’s crafted statement: “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.” Notice how Roger made it sound like Power’s idea? Classic boss move right there.

The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Sure Are Brutal)

Let’s talk about what Team Penske is losing here, because the stats are absolutely bonkers. Power’s 71 pole positions aren’t just impressive – they’re downright historic. The guy owns the qualifying record like it’s his personal real estate. Among active drivers, nobody even comes close to touching that number.

His 45 career wins put him fourth on the all-time IndyCar list, with 42 of those coming in Penske colors. That’s not just loyalty; that’s a dynasty. The 2014 and 2022 championships? Just icing on an already ridiculous cake.

And here’s the kicker – Power was actually having a decent 2025 season despite all the team’s struggles. He finished ninth in the championship standings, which made him the top Penske driver. Scott McLaughlin finished one spot behind him in tenth, while Josef Newgarden – the supposed team leader – limped home in 12th place.

What Went Wrong With the Penske Empire?

Remember the attenuator scandal at the Indy 500? Yeah, that was Penske. The team got caught red-handed with illegal modifications, leading to a complete organizational shakeup. Tim Cindric, who’d been with the team forever, got the boot along with two other senior executives. When you’re firing people left and right, it tends to create some uncomfortable workplace vibes.

The team didn’t win a single race until the 15th round of the season – and guess who finally broke that streak? That’s right, Power at Portland. The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife. The guy who saves your season is the same one walking out the door a few weeks later.

The Andretti Connection: Power’s New Home

Plot twist time: Power isn’t heading into retirement or some midlife crisis sabbatical. Nope, he’s reportedly joining Andretti Global for 2026, taking over the No. 26 car. Because apparently, when life gives you lemons, you go drive for your former team’s biggest rival.

This move makes perfect sense when you think about it. Andretti has been building something special, and adding a driver with Power’s experience and track record is exactly the kind of veteran presence they need. Plus, there’s something beautifully petty about Power potentially beating his former team while wearing different colors.

Looking Ahead: The Final Chapter

Power is clearly preparing for what could be his final career move. He’s joining an Andretti team that has the resources and hunger to compete with anyone. If he can help them knock Penske off their perch, it would be the perfect ending to one of IndyCar’s most compelling storylines.

The 2026 season just got a whole lot more interesting. Power versus his former team, with 17 years of history and probably some hurt feelings adding extra motivation to every lap. If that’s not must-watch television, then nothing is.