Penske Racing hired Will Power of Australia to drive full-time next
year after giving the Indy Racing League driver a part-time gig
last season.
Power will drive for a team that features countryman Ryan
Briscoe and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves of
Brazil.
"It is a dream come true," Power told reporters on Thursday
after Penske made the announcement. "It's something I've worked
very hard for my whole career, to end up in a place like this."
Penske said the move was a key element of a multiyear deal
with Verizon Wireless that began this year. Power's deal was only
for the 2010 season, and additional years haven't been discussed.
Power drove for Penske last season while Castroneves dealt
with U.S. tax issues. After Castroneves returned, Power stayed on
temporarily and finished fifth at the Indianapolis 500. Penske
eventually brought him back, and Power finished third at Toronto
and won at Edmonton.
"The results speak for themselves," Penske Racing president
Tim Cindric said. "We're excited to be able to give him the
opportunity to come on full-time because he's done an excellent job
in a very difficult situation."
A crash on Aug. 22 in Sonoma, California ended Power's
season. He broke four bones in his back, had a concussion and
chipped his left front tooth in a collision.
Power said he's on pace to recover in time for next season.
"I'm feeling really good," he said. "Everything's going well.
It's actually ahead of schedule, the way my back healed. I don't
think there's going to be any problem getting back in the car in
January."
Penske felt it couldn't afford to take a chance on Power
going elsewhere.
"With the results he had last season, there was probably
going to be more people knocking on his door if they found out he
was available," Cindric said.
Power said he wanted to stay all along because of Penske's
quality.
"Every time I was in a car, it was a good car," he said.
"There's no use running around in the back of the field in a team
that's not up to the job. You don't do yourself any favors."
Now, instead of hunting for a ride, Power wais talking about
winning a championship.
"That's what I'm aiming for," he said. "I want to be running
at the front all year, and I'll really want to be one of the
contenders. I'll be doing my absolute best."
