Will Power offered an apology to Ed Carpenter following a collision involving Carpenter’s driver Christian Rasmussen during a critical moment in the IndyCar race at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday. Power, who started at the back of the field after a qualifying crash, had surged to the lead by lap 200 of the 250-lap event, only to be challenged fiercely by Rasmussen, who had climbed from 18th position with an aggressive driving style that overwhelmed many competitors on short ovals.
Rasmussen, a 25-year-old Danish driver representing Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR), was on an impressive run with over 60 on-track overtakes. As Power tried to defend his lead against Rasmussen’s persistent advances, the two drivers engaged in a tense battle. On an attempt to pass around the outside of Turn 2, Rasmussen was squeezed against the wall when Power moved high on the track, leading to contact between the cars. Rasmussen suffered front-end damage while Power was forced to pit due to a punctured right rear tire. Later, Rasmussen dropped from contention finishing 14th, and Power ended up in 16th place.
Power’s Explanation and Apology During Post-Race Interview
In a post-race interview with motorsport journalist Bob Pockrass, Power reflected on the incident and his tactical decision-making. When Pockrass noted Rasmussen’s aggressive approach, Power admitted the challenge of defending the lead against such a determined competitor. He said,
“Yes, I do. It was for the win, and maybe I should have just, you know, if I could have held him for another couple laps, he would degrade (his tires). But yeah, he’s very good on the short oval, and he won’t relent. So maybe, I shouldn’t…” ?Will Power, Andretti Global driver
As Power concluded his thoughts, he noticed Ed Carpenter, Rasmussen’s team owner, passing by in the pit lane and immediately took the opportunity to express regret. Power told Carpenter,
“He, sorry for that man,” ?Will Power, Andretti Global driver
Afterward, Power was seen discussing the incident with Rasmussen. Their exchange involved Power gesturing at their on-track positions before the collision, indicating a candid conversation about the moments leading to their contact.
Communication Breakdown with New Spotter Contributed to Incident
Christian Rasmussen expressed visible frustration after the race, holding Power responsible for the collision that thwarted his attempt to secure a second IndyCar victory. Power accepted responsibility for the incident, revealing that a miscommunication with his new spotter at Andretti Global played a part in the situation. Having spent 17 years with a different spotter at Team Penske, Power noted the difficulty adjusting to new terminology used by his spotter, which may have influenced his judgment during the tight battle.
“If I heard he’s got a wing on you, it’s on me,” he told reporters. “I can’t blame anyone but myself. There it was for the win. So, you keep it tight. But I should have given him more (room). New spotter this year. He’s really good, (but) there’s a little bit of terminology that would be different there. My old spotter I had for 17 years. He has different terminology. It’s just teething things, you know, I feel bad.” ?Will Power, Andretti Global driver
Recognition of Rasmussen’s Performance and Race Outcome
While acknowledging his error, Power praised Rasmussen’s performance throughout the race, stating,
“Rasmussen deserves that win. He is very quick. It was going to be a good fight to the end, but he was strong. I was trying my best to take his air and try to use his tires up. But, you know, ultimately, you could see like, if he had the run there, he was going to get me next corner,” ?Will Power, Andretti Global driver
The race ultimately concluded with Josef Newgarden emerging victorious, maintaining his streak as the most recent winner at Phoenix Raceway since the last IndyCar event held there in 2018. Power’s Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood secured second place, while pole-sitter David Malukas completed the podium in third.
Implications for Drivers and Teams Moving Forward
The apology from Will Power to Ed Carpenter underscores the intense competitiveness and fine margins present in IndyCar racing, particularly on demanding short oval tracks like Phoenix Raceway. Both Power and Rasmussen demonstrated skill and determination, but the collision highlighted challenges related to communication within teams and split-second decision-making under pressure. As Power and Rasmussen continue to compete in the series, addressing spotter-driver coordination and refining defensive tactics will be essential for avoiding similar incidents.
This event may influence how teams prepare their drivers with spotter instructions and strategize during close racing scenarios, potentially impacting the outcomes of future races on comparable tracks.
Will Power’s thoughts after the race: @IndyCarOnFOX pic.twitter.com/7fDX6ahqXq
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 7, 2026
