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Will Power can join Australian sports hoodoo breakers Cadel Evans and Adam Scott if he wins this weekend’s Indianapolis 500.
Evans ended Australia’s wait for a Tour de France winner in 2011 while Scott’s Masters success at Augusta in April ended another marathon wait for Australian sports fans.
Now Power wants to make it an international sporting achievement hat-trick by becoming the first Australian to claim the Indy 500 crown.
Several Australian drivers, including ex-Formula One world champions Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, have tackled the famous race in its 97-year history.
Triple world champion Brabham, arguably Australia’s greatest motorsport driver, briefly led the 1970 race but his best finish was ninth in 1961.
Brisbane-born Scott Dixon did win in 2008 but the two-time IndyCar series champion races as a New Zealander after growing up in Auckland.
It means Australia is still waiting for an Indy 500 winner and Toowoomba product Power represents the best chance when he lines up in sixth spot on the grid for Sunday’s (Monday 0200 AEST) race.
In six visits to the Indy 500, Power’s best finish was a fifth in 2009 but the three-time series runner-up feels confident after a solid qualifying display.
“We did a lot of miles and worked with (teammates) AJ (Allmendinger) and Helio (Castroneves) to optimise our efforts,” Power said.
“At the end of the day I feel pretty good about what we’ve accomplished.
“All in all we are as prepared as we can be heading into the race. The guys have done a great job preparing and setting up the Verizon Chevy all week long.
“Now we look forward to a shake down run on Carb Day (Saturday AEST) and then we’ll give it our best come the race.”
Australia’s hopes aren’t just in the hands of Power, with Sydneysider Ryan Briscoe also competing for the powerful Chip Ganassi Racing outfit.
Briscoe, the 2012 pole holder, will start back in 23rd but in a race known for high-speed crashes and dramatic finishes, can still force his way into contention.
“The first step is being there at the end,” Briscoe said.
“You need to be there, you need to look after your equipment and be in the fight at the end of the race.
“At this race, so many times, a lot of stuff happens in the last 10 laps. It’s a long race.”
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