Will Power’s IndyCar Pole Ends Early with Tire Trouble in St. Louis

Will Power arrived at the World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis hoping to build momentum after capturing his 71st career IndyCar pole, his first of the 2025 season. The veteran Team Penske driver entered Sunday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 sitting fifth in points and leading all Penske teammates in the standings.

As the green flag dropped for the 260-lap race, Power led from the front row. However, he quickly surrendered the top position on the opening lap to David Malukas of AJ Foyt Racing, who surged ahead and took control early.

Power held steady in second place through the first stint, focusing on saving fuel and managing his pace for a long run.

Trouble found Power on lap 47.

Heading into Turn 3, he suffered a sudden right-front tire failure. The No. 12 Chevrolet made contact with the outside wall, and Power fought to get the damaged car back to pit road.

The car, hobbled by suspension problems, was only able to limp around the track before he was forced to retire from the event in 27th position. It was a devastating end for a driver who had shown strong form all weekend.

In a post-race interview, Power said he sensed the car was under heavy load through Turns 3 and 4, similar to a previous incident at Iowa Speedway where he experienced a comparable failure. He called the event unlucky and expressed disappointment for his team and sponsors.

The timing could not have been worse for Power, who remains winless in 2025 and is in the final year of his contract with Penske. Rumors have circulated that Malukas, the very driver who passed him at the start, is a candidate for his seat in 2026.

Despite the early setback, Power said he believed he was in a strong position before the tire gave way. He felt their fuel strategy would have allowed him to charge for the lead by the final segment.

Malukas continued to set the pace out front, but Power thought traffic and pit cycles might have played in his favor if not for the failure. Power’s 71st career pole extended his modern-day qualifying record in IndyCar.

As a two-time series champion and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner, he is no stranger to rebounds. At age 44, however, the search for another victory becomes more pressing as talk grows about future lineup changes for Team Penske. For insights on how driver lineups impact racing dynamics, see this McLaren Lewis Hamilton Monaco analysis.

The mechanical issue meant Power gained no ground in the championship, treading water with 10 races complete. With the St. Louis race behind them, the focus now shifts to the next round.

Power remains confident that the Penske team has the pace to challenge for wins, but understands that a combination of speed and reliability is crucial to stay in contention.

He will be looking to bounce back at the next event, still hunting for his first victory of 2025 as the summer stretch continues.

The season is far from over, and Power’s pursuit of success keeps the spotlight shining on one of IndyCar’s most accomplished drivers. For a unique perspective on race strategy and equipment adjustments, see the recent F1 flexi-wing Spanish GP report.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.